Chris Packard’s Journey: From Bridge Construction to Commercial Development
October 2025
Welcome to Northstar’s article series, ‘Meet the Partners of Northstar: Guiding Our Strategic Vision & Company’s Success.’ In this series, we explore the experiences and journeys of our partners who have played a pivotal role in shaping Northstar’s trajectory over the past fifteen years.
Laying the Groundwork for a Future in Real Estate
Chris Packard’s journey to Northstar began in 1997 when he served as a construction superintendent on the iconic Zakim Bridge during its four years of construction. From developing work plans, managing union trade resources and coordinating with subcontractors Chris thrived in this high-pressure environment while guiding his team to a successful project delivery.
His hands-on experience and leadership steered Chris forward in his career, where he met people in the commercial real estate industry. As he transitioned to working at JLL, Chris brought his wealth of knowledge and expertise and worked with some of the founding partners of Northstar. This laid the groundwork for a successful partnership and provided invaluable insights and connections that set the stage for his eventual transition to Northstar.
The Transition to Northstar: A Seamless Integration
Joining Northstar in 2012 was a natural progression for Chris, building upon his diverse experience in civil engineering and project management. After his successful tenure at JLL, overseeing projects like Harvard’s Riverside Housing Development Project, Chris gained invaluable insights and forged connections that would prove instrumental in his future endeavors.
When the opportunity to join the team at Northstar arose, Chris seized it with enthusiasm, recognizing the potential for professional growth. With his wealth of knowledge and expertise, he was ready to bring a fresh perspective and contribute to Northstar’s continued success.
Setting the Stage for Success: Establishing Frameworks and Policies
As one of the early partners to join Northstar, Chris quickly rolled up his sleeves and got to work. In addition to managing his Harvard relationships, projects and Northstar project managers, he also took on the role of human resources for the firm. Chris recognized the importance of establishing an early solid foundation for the company’s policies and procedures. He established the framework and wrote policies that govern the firm’s operations, ensuring compliance and fostering a team-first work environment.
Chris understood the many complexities of human resources and sought the support of legal and benefits experts to navigate the policies and ensure they aligned with regulations. One of his notable achievements was drafting Northstar’s first employee handbook, which outlines the firm’s policies and procedures and serves as the first touchpoint for new employees, setting the right expectations.
Managing Northstar’s Foundation: The Harvard University Housing Account
Chris’s journey to Northstar started less than two years after its inception. From the get-go, he made a significant impact. Alongside Dave Girard, he co-leads the firm’s long-standing client account, Harvard University Housing. Chris brings a quiet yet empowering leadership style to the Harvard team, combining strategic leadership with a commitment to excellence. His role goes beyond traditional project management, encompassing a diverse range of responsibilities and initiatives aimed at ensuring the account’s success.
Leveraging his extensive experience in civil engineering and project management, Chris and Dave are anchors for the Harvard team, jointly overseeing 50 active projects on average per year. They collaborate closely to define project objectives, establish timelines, and allocate resources and guide delivery.
Chris also plays a central role in client relations, serving as Harvard University’s primary point of contact along with Dave. He fosters strong relationships with key stakeholders through weekly communication and proactive engagement. His ability to navigate complex dynamics and his unwavering dedication to client satisfaction have set the stage for a long-term partnership with Harvard.
Fostering Talent: Mentorship and Development
Besides his project management duties, Chris takes a hands-on approach to talent development and mentoring within Northstar. He recognizes the importance of nurturing and empowering young professionals, providing mentorship and guidance. Chris is committed to fostering a culture of learning and growth within the firm. His ability to provide direction and guidance while allowing employees room to grow and excel sets the tone for the entire team
Shaping Company Culture: The Art of Hiring at Northstar
Chris’ influence extends beyond project management and team mentoring; he plays a key role in shaping Northstar’s culture and leads the recruitment efforts. His approach to hiring reflects his commitment to excellence and his keen eye for identifying top talent. Chris emphasizes the importance of finding technically skilled individuals who possess strong soft skills. Through years of experience and honing his interviewing skills, Chris has developed an ability to assess candidates, identifying those who embody Northstar’s values and character and would be a strong fit for the firm.
Most candidates who come through Northstar’s doors for an interview have strong technical backgrounds in architecture, engineering, or construction management. However, it’s the soft skills that separate those who are positioned for long-term success in owner’s project management. Chris understands the importance of effective communication across all levels of a project, whether with clients, senior executives, tradespeople, colleagues, design consultants or construction managers. His thoughtful hiring approach has led to a high employee retention rate, a testament to the success of the firm’s recruitment strategy.
Beyond the Office: Balancing Work and Passion
Outside of work, Chris is a dedicated runner turned Peloton enthusiast, having just completed his 1,000th ride. Additionally, he channels his passion for sports into coaching baseball teams and taking the T to work when possible. He enjoys getting off at a stop early and walking the rest of the way to the office, taking in the peacefulness of Cambridge early in the morning before jumping into a busy day of managing his team and providing high level client service.
Chris Packard’s leadership, mentorship, and commitment to excellence have shaped Northstar’s culture and direction, leaving an indelible mark on its success. He embodies the values of integrity, dedication, and passion, inspiring those around him to reach new heights of achievement.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories about the visionary partners who continue to shape Northstar’s journey and contribute to its ongoing success.
