Mentorship Matters from Day One
January 2026
At Northstar, more than 80% of our team participates in mentorship not because they have to, but because it matters. Mentorship is a core component of how we develop leaders, strengthen culture, and empower people at every stage of their careers. Through mentorship, growth is intentional, supported, and shared.
According to Vice President | Shareholder Dan Govoni, “I can’t overstate the impact of mentorship on my journey at Northstar. My success, and by extension, the success of my clients and my team, is a direct reflection of the continuous support I’ve received. Our mentorship program builds on that organic foundation, scaling it to break down silos between teams and create space for the natural, career-changing relationships to thrive.”
Northstar’s Mentorship Program embodies our core belief that being “Invested in Your Success” isn’t passive. It means actively helping people grow. Every new employee, regardless of level, becomes a mentee during their first year and is paired with a thoughtfully selected mentor outside of their project team. This pairing ensures conversations focus on development rather than day-to-day task management. Mentees drive their own growth by setting goals, preparing for conversations, and acting on feedback.
While the program provides consistency and structure, we also foster organic, ad-hoc relationships to create more meaningful connections across the team. We prioritize personal growth the same way we prioritize project delivery, with intention, follow-through, and collaboration.
Recently, we hosted a dedicated Mentor Forum to strengthen how mentors support and engage with their mentees. Together, mentors explored real-world scenarios, shared strategies, and discussed challenges that can surface in honest conversations. The focus was not performance management, but building trust, listening deeply, navigating thoughtfully, and upholding the values that define the Northstar Way. In doing so, mentors not only support individual development, but they also advance their own leadership and help shape the future of our company.
Mentorship is how we invest in our people and how they, in turn, invest in others. Our employees are stewards of the company’s values and reputation long before they lead teams, win new work, or deliver projects. Purpose, follow-through, and genuine connection create something powerful. People show up for each other. That commitment strengthens collaboration, builds confidence and impact, and reinforces our belief that success at Northstar is not achieved alone. It’s shared.
Our commitment to mentorship also extends beyond Northstar. We use the same thoughtful approach in supporting and engaging with our local industry organizations, including the CoreNet Global New England Chapter and the Professional Women in Construction Boston Chapter. Through sharing ideas and networks, volunteering on committees, and championing leadership development initiatives, we contribute to the growth of the broader professional community while reinforcing who we are as a company.
Steven Smith brings over 35 years of experience leading complex capital projects as an owner’s representative, guiding clients across the full project management life cycle from early strategy and planning through completion. His work spans full interior construction, occupied renovations, restacks, and infrastructure upgrades, all with a focus on aligning teams, managing risk, and delivering high-quality outcomes that advance client goals.
