Northstar Celebrates Katie Eichel’s 5-Year Anniversary

Northstar is proud to celebrate Katie Eichel’s five-year anniversary with the company. Since joining Northstar, Katie has made an impact as an owner’s project manager in the AEC industry, bringing over five years of hands-on experience and leadership to a wide variety of projects.

Katie has supported initiatives across several industry sectors including life sciences, office interiors, student housing, and ground-up core and shell developments. Currently, she is managing several interior office and laboratory improvement projects for a major pharmaceutical client. Her work includes lobby, executive office, boardroom, and lab renovations spanning over 800,000 SF across the client’s headquarters buildings. One highlight includes the fit-out of the newly opened Bitty & Beau’s Coffee café in Cambridge Crossing. 

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Forty Years of Impact: Lee Burneson’s Journey in Project Management Focused on People, Not Just Projects

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.

In the project management business, careers are measured by the projects. But for Lee, it’s not the buildings that are important; it’s the people he’s worked alongside that have left lasting impressions as he has moved through in his career.

The Early Years

Lee’s journey began at the tender age of 17 when he crossed paths with Jerry Bosch, a good friend who introduced him to his father and who subsequently hired him as a construction laborer, setting the stage for a career that spans nearly half a century. The hard work over those early years was worth the effort. In 1984, Lee walked out of Purdue University with a master’s degree in civil engineering and was driving to New England to start working for Gilbane Building Company on his first full-time job in the post-graduate workforce.

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Justin Caron Named a Rising Star

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.

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Enhancing Workplace Efficiency: The Role of Occupancy Sensors in Modern Offices

With the reimagining of workplaces in the post-COVID era, many corporate clients are opting to install occupancy sensors in their newly renovated office spaces. The goal is to understand how their new workplace strategies, revitalizing spaces with a revised ratio of community, innovation, and focus areas, along with the introduction of attractive amenities, are being utilized. This data helps assess whether these efforts are successfully encouraging employees to return to the office.

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Building Success Together: The Power of Collaboration at Northstar

After the inspiring reflections from Northstar’s women during our annual Women in Construction Week celebration, we turned our attention to recognizing the invaluable contributions of the men on our team.

We asked them to share moments when collaboration across diverse teams, including women and beyond, led to a breakthrough in solving a project challenge. Their responses highlight not only their technical expertise but also their commitment to fostering teamwork, mentorship, and innovative problem-solving.

Join us as we explore their experiences and the impact of diverse collaboration in driving project success.

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The Northstar Journey: A Story of Growth and Progression for Six Newly Promoted Team Members

At Northstar, success isn’t just about completing a project or meeting deadlines; it’s about growing, learning, and leadership within teams. Our culture focuses on continuous learning, responsiveness, building meaningful relationships, and guiding clients and project teams to a predictable outcome.

Leadership strives to maintain a culture that is focused on a guiding mindset about making thoughtful decisions, working together as a team, and always pursuing excellence. It’s about assimilating into our client’s culture, providing exceptional service, approaching each challenge as an opportunity for growth, and treating every project as a chance to excel.

Our six newly promoted team members share how they embraced the skills and values that helped them reach their new roles. These team members didn’t just meet their job expectations; they actively participated in the growth and progression that makes the Northstar experience unique.

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Celebrating the Impact of Women in Construction

As Women in Construction Week comes to a close, we recap our spotlights on Emily Clayton, Lisa Hamilton, and Elen Zurabyan, three professional women shaping the construction industry today.

The experiences of these women highlight their goals and achievements, marking a significant shift towards inclusivity and opportunity in owner’s project management (OPM) and the construction industry.

As we celebrate their accomplishments, we acknowledge their contributions to reshaping the industry’s landscape and paving the way for future generations of female leaders.

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Celebrating Women in Construction Week at Northstar

As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, we proudly shine a spotlight on the incredible women of Northstar who continue to shape our industry’s culture and future. This annual observance honors the vital role women play in building and advancing the industry’s culture and future.

This year’s theme, ‘Together We Rise’, celebrates the strength and knowledge of women and the vital role they play in shaping the future of the construction industry. At Northstar, women represent nearly 40% of our team and contribute their talents across all levels of project management. Their diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives enable them to drive innovation and growth, both within our company and the broader real estate industry. They bring a range of skills and problem-solving abilities that are critical to overcoming challenges and delivering effective solutions.

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Elen Zurabyan Featured in NEREJ’s Women in Construction Spotlight

Elen Zurabyan, one of Northstar’s talented owner’s project managers, was recently featured in the Women in Construction Spotlight issue of the New England Real Estate Journal. In the article, Elen shares her perspectives on the project she is most proud of, the trends she believes will shape the future of the industry, and what drives her passion in her career. She also reveals her favorite ways to get inspired outside of work.

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Werfen’s New Research & Development Facility: A Strategic Expansion

When Werfen, a global leader in specialized diagnostics, outgrew its Bedford campus, the company turned to Northstar for a solution. The result was a state-of-the-art 118,000 square foot research and development facility focusing on hemostasis, acute care diagnostics, and autoimmunity. This project replaced an existing warehouse, addressed space limitations, and created a flexible and sustainable environment to meet Werfen’s future needs.

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Are You Moving Live Lab CTUs (Controlled Temperature Units such as Fridges or Freezers)

The Top 4 Key Factors for a Successful Move

Moving lab equipment, especially systems such as Controlled Temperature Units (CTUs), needs careful planning and attention to detail. There are four key factors to consider for a successful move to ensure that the process goes smoothly, and that the samples and equipment remain safe and operational. Below highlights some important aspects to address, including electrical and monitoring considerations, move path/logistics, securing your samples, and ensuring a proper shutdown of the equipment.

Below are four important factors to keep in mind before beginning your move.

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Ipsitha Bayapu: Five Years of Professional Growth and Success at Northstar

Northstar is proud to celebrate Ipsitha Bayapu’s 5th anniversary with the company.

Ipsitha Bayapu has over five years of experience as an Owner’s Project Manager in the AEC industry. Currently, she is closing out a multi-phase R&D lab renovation project as well as managing various interior improvement projects for leading pharmaceutical companies—from planning and design to construction, closeout, and occupancy.

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Celebrating 10 Years of Leadership: Steven Smith’s Journey at Northstar

Northstar is proud to celebrate Steven Smith’s 10th anniversary at Northstar.

With over 35 years of experience in owner’s project management, Steven specializes in overseeing major capital programs and projects. His expertise spans interior core and shell TI construction, occupied renovations and restacks, LEED and Fitwell certifications, and infrastructure and technology upgrades. Steven’s comprehensive knowledge of project delivery makes him a leader in every phase of a project, from feasibility and programming through design and construction to occupancy and closeout.

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Northstar Reflects on a Memorable 2024: A Year in Pictures 

As we welcome the new year, Northstar is excited to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of 2024.

From unforgettable team experiences—skiing, rowing along the Charles River, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and the Greater Boston Food Bank, and celebrating our 14th anniversary—to landmark client achievements, including topping off Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University Housing’s 100 South Campus Drive, breaking ground at Dartmouth College’s 25 West Wheelock, and cutting the ribbon at Werfen’s Bedford facility, as well as celebrating the appointment of our new president—our video captures the heart of our shared efforts, enjoyment, and success. Every image reflects a distinct story of dedication, teamwork, and the progress we’ve made together.

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Janet Named Professional Women in Construction Volunteer of the Year: Celebrating Her Commitment to Advancing Opportunities in the A/E/C Industry

Since 2021, Janet has been a passionate advocate dedicated to advancing underserved students through her work with the Professional Women in Construction (PWC) Boston Chapter’s Outreach and Scholarship Committee. Her dedication to creating opportunities and fostering industry engagement has made a significant impact on aspiring architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) students.

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Northstar Celebrates a Decade of Excellence: Honoring Andy Touchette’s 10th Anniversary

Northstar proudly celebrates Andy Touchette’s 10th anniversary.

Since joining Northstar, Andy has become a key part of what makes Northstar special, bringing together his impressive skills and dedication in a way that truly stands out.

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Denise Pied Featured in NEREJ’s Women in Commercial Real Estate Spotlight

Northstar’s Denise Pied was recently featured in the New England Real Estate Journal’s Women of CRE  issue. 

Below is an excerpt from what she said about the project and accomplishment she is most proud of and what advice she would give young women aspiring to enter commercial real estate.   

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A Conversation with our Intern, Camila Cortes: Her View from the Construction Site

Northstar, is committed to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of talent with a passion for pursuing careers in project management. As part of our internship/co-op program, we collaborate with institutions such as CREST (Commercial Real Estate Success Training), Northeastern University, and Wentworth Institute of Technology, to identify exceptional candidates.

We had the pleasure of introducing Camila Cortes to our team for the past three months. Camila joined us through the CREST (Commercial Real Estate Training) program and is finishing her MBA at Babson College. She has a degree in Architecture with a minor in Business Administration from Bogota, Colombia. We took the opportunity to sit down with Camila to gain insights into her experience as a part of our Northstar team throughout her internship.

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From Groundbreaking Projects to Community Leadership: Celebrating Lisa’s 10 Years with Northstar

Northstar proudly celebrates Lisa Bagshaw’s 10th anniversary.

Lisa, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience, has been part of Northstar’s success over the past decade. As an owner’s project manager (OPM), she has been involved in many projects, including tenant interiors, new construction, and renovations. Her expertise and strategic vision have been instrumental in delivering complex projects that meet client expectations and industry standards.

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Celebrating a Decade of Excellence: Natasha’s Journey with Northstar

Natasha Marcuard’s journey with Northstar exemplifies her dedication, leadership, and passion for her owner’s project management profession and community. As we celebrate her 10th anniversary with the company, we reflect on her remarkable achievements and her enduring impact on Northstar and beyond.

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A Conversation with our Intern, Pratiksha Gade: Her View from the Construction Site

Northstar is committed to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of talent with a passion for pursuing careers in project management. As part of our internship/co-op program, we collaborate with institutions such as Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and CREST (Commercial Real Estate Success Training) to identify exceptional candidates.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Pratiksha Gade to our team for the past six months. Pratiksha recently graduated from Northeastern University with a Master’s degree in Project Management, specializing in Construction Management. During her time with us, she supported pre-construction market readiness assessments, punch list administration, and document management activities for life science projects with BioMed Realty, Sanofi, and Takeda Pharmaceutical, as well as Harvard University Housing’s portfolio. She was actively involved in the development of Assembly Innovation Park, attending weekly OAC and coordination meetings with the team, assisting with schedule reviews, and reviewing garage wayfinding installations and closeout documentation.

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Peter Arsenault Named a Rising Star

Northstar’s Peter Arsenault was recently featured in the New England Real Estate Journal’s Rising Stars Ones to Watch issue. 

Below is an excerpt from what he said about the accomplishment he is most proud of, the key people in his life who have contributed to his success, and what our president, Kirstin Brown, had to say about Peter.

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Kirstin Brown Among Recipients of CoreNet Global New England’s 2023 Awards of Excellence

We are excited to announce that Kirstin Brown received the Americas Service Provider Leadership Award at CoreNet Global – New England Chapter’s annual awards celebration.

The Service Provider Leadership Award recognizes a member of North America CoreNet Global NE who contributes significantly to the success of the corporate real estate industry, their department, team, client’s company, or real estate organization. Kirstin exemplifies this through her exceptional commitment to excellence and leadership.

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