Justin Caron Named a Rising Star
May 2025
Northstar’s Justin Caron was recently featured in the New England Real Estate Journal’s Rising Stars Ones to Watch issue.
Below is an excerpt of what he shared about the professional milestone he is most proud of, a challenge he has overcome, the advice he would give to someone starting out in owner’s project management, and the individuals who played a pivotal role in his development, along with what our president, Kirstin Brown, had to say about Justin.
What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why?
I recently completed two residential projects for Harvard University Housing (HUH) which were both Passive House certified, the first projects with that certification for HUH. Both were 19th century Victorian renovations which were accompanied by a host of challenges as the project team collectively navigated through the Passive House requirements. I am especially proud of the team’s resilience and strategic thinking to turn our initially failed envelope tests at both buildings into the first two Passive House certified projects for Northstar.
What is one challenge you’ve overcome in your career so far, and what did it teach you?
When I was early on in my career at Northstar, we were building two high-end outdoor playgrounds for a client. The budget at the time was the largest that I had managed in my career and nearly all of it was associated with the equipment. I remember reviewing the purchase order and quickly approving, thinking that it must be right since we had gone over the final equipment schedule many times. When the equipment showed up, it was built as a pad mount instead of foundation. I learned very quickly that attention to detail is absolutely critical in this field and I have carried that with me to this day when reviewing key documents.
If you could give advice to someone just starting out in your field, what would it be?
Do not be afraid to ask questions for fear of embarrassment. Our industry can be intimidating as a young professional when it feels like everyone on a project team is much more senior. I learned early on that everyone on a project team is working towards the same goal, and all were more than happy to take the extra time to explain something to a younger professional. I’ve tried to take that same mindset as I
Who has played a pivotal role in your development, and how have they influenced you?
Having been at Northstar for over 12 years, I’ve been lucky enough to work with just about every partner. One thing that sets Northstar apart is the unfettered access to partnership at any level. From starting on the Harvard University account working directly with Chris Packard and David Girard, to now working closely with our President, Kirstin Brown on my current project, I have been able to learn and observe how partners manage, strategize on project challenges, and handle difficult situations. With Northstar’s open work environment, employees at every level can sit side by side with partners and learn, ask questions, and gain insight even if they are not working directly with that partner.
On what our President, Kirstin Brown, says makes Justin a rising star.
“It’s been a privilege to work alongside Justin, who has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, reliability and professionalism as an Owner’s Project Manager. He has become an indispensable part of our team, known not only for his deep knowledge of project management but also his unwavering commitment to getting the job done right.
What truly sets Justin apart is his loyalty and integrity. In an industry where change is constant, Justin has remained a steady, dependable force. His commitment to Northstar and our mission has helped shape not just our projects, but our culture as well.”
Justin has over 15 years of progressive experience in the real estate industry. He joined Northstar in 2012 as an Assistant Project Manager with over three years of experience working within the project and property management field. Clients include national publishing corporations, higher-education institutions, and corporate clients. He has supported project executives throughout all phases of both operational and capital projects’ lifecycle including planning, permitting, design, construction, and closeout with projects ranging in size from smaller operational projects to $350M+ capital projects. He has successfully completed multiple Passive House projects.
Click here to read about all the New England Real Estate Journal’s Rising Stars.
