Tag: project management

A Conversation with our Intern, John Mazza: His View from the Construction Site

Northstar is committed to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of talent passionate about pursuing careers in project management. As part of our internship/co-op program, we collaborate with institutions to identify exceptional candidates.

We had the pleasure of welcoming John Mazza to our team for the past four months. John is from Waltham, MA, and is entering his final year of his Master of Business Administration at Boston College Carroll School of Management. In his spare time, he loves hiking with his dog, exploring new restaurants, watching sports (especially baseball), and playing golf.

During his time with us, he was actively involved in Dartmouth College’s 25 West Wheelock Student Housing project and Boston Children’s Hospital 421 Park Drive | 201 Brookline Avenue project. John attended weekly meetings, including owner, architect, and contractor meetings and design-phase meetings; participated in punch list items; supported functional commissioning; contributed to market research; and assisted with close-out activities. He maintained key project trackers, including schedules, budgeting, punch lists, and close-out documentation. In addition, he joined site tours for other projects, including Sanofi’s project, a global software solutions company’s tech-focused office fit-out project, and assisted in various tasks for Harvard University’s 100 South Campus Drive project and Osprey Village’s project in South Carolina.

We took the opportunity to sit down with John to learn from his experience as part of our Northstar team during his internship.

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Northstar Celebrates Cameron Feeley’s 5-Year Anniversary

Cameron Feeley is a Project Manager with more than five years of experience in the construction and real estate industry. She’s known for bringing a thoughtful, collaborative approach to her work and has supported clients across residential, transportation, R&D, and commercial real estate industries.

During her time at Northstar, Cameron has worked on a variety of projects, from occupied residential renovations and façade restorations to R&D build-outs and real estate studies. She has developed expertise in sustainability, security upgrades, and façade restorations, while continuing to grow her experience across the broader construction and real estate industry.

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Beyond the Office: How Northstar Employees Are Giving Back

On a hot summer day in Boston, a group of Northstar employees gathered not on a construction site, but on the warehouse floor at the Greater Boston Food Bank, packing boxes, sorting donations, and helping prepare thousands of meals for distribution across Eastern Massachusetts. Working in an assembly-line style, our team moved quickly to pack as much as possible in a single shift, knowing each box would soon reach individuals and families facing food insecurity.

Instead of our usual early mornings on job sites, we traded hard hats for hairnets and spent the day supporting an organization that makes a meaningful difference in communities across the region.

For many of us, it was not just about volunteering. It was about building connections with our communities and one another while finding a shared sense of purpose. That purpose is at the heart of Northstar’s approach to community engagement.

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Kamal Sheik: Five Years of Growth and Impact at Northstar

We’re proud to celebrate Kamal Sheik’s five-year anniversary with Northstar.

Before joining Northstar, Kamal gained experience as a Junior Architect and Project Coordinator at Haven Architects, as well as working alongside his family at Farmaish Interiors. These early roles gave him a practical, collaborative approach and helped him develop a reputation for thoughtful problem-solving. Kamal earned his master’s in construction management from Purdue University and his bachelor’s in architecture from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, India. He is a Registered Architect in India and a LEED Green Associate, demonstrating his passion for outstanding, sustainable design.

With over eight years of experience in the A/E/C industry, he is currently supporting a building repositioning project and speculative lab and office suite projects. From early planning and design through construction and occupancy, he plays a key role in guiding projects forward. Throughout his career, Kamal has built a strong foundation in both the technical and collaborative sides of project management.

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Developing the Next Generation of Project Managers at Northstar

At Northstar, we believe that introducing students to the AEC industry early can open doors to career paths they may not have known existed or considered. Many of us came from diverse backgrounds and, as students, were unfamiliar with careers in architecture, engineering, and construction and had never heard of the owner’s project manager (OPM) role.

As owner’s project managers, we help guide projects from planning and design through construction and closeout, coordinating teams, schedules, budgets, and client goals along the way. Inspired by our own experiences, Northstar’s Internship Committee actively participates in student outreach and has developed a co-op program to help emerging talent explore the industry.

Student Outreach – Poster Sessions, Job Shadowing, and Speaker Panels

Through partnerships with the Professional Women in Construction Boston Chapter and Haley & Aldrich, Northstar team members Dominic Caporale, Chase Connell, and Cameron Feeley have participated in student poster sessions at Roxbury Community College, Codman Academy Charter Public School, and UMass Boston. These sessions give our team the opportunity to have a casual conversation about the role of an OPM and share real-world project examples.

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Ipsitha Bayapu Selected as a Connect CRE Next Generation Award Winner

Northstar is proud to announce that Ipsitha Bayapu has been named a Next Generation Award winner, an honor that recognizes emerging leaders making a difference in the commercial real estate industry.

As an Owner’s Project Manager, Ipsitha specializes in managing complex, multi-phase renovations and infrastructure projects for global life sciences and pharmaceutical clients. Her role spans the full project lifecycle, from initial feasibility and master scheduling to construction administration and final handover. Ipsitha acts as a key liaison between technical teams and corporate stakeholders, ensuring projects meet rigorous standards while maintaining predictable outcomes and minimizing disruption to active scientific research.

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Navigating Success: The Journey of Tom Fanning and Northstar

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.

Tom Fanning’s Path to Leadership
As founding partner and President of Northstar for the first 13 years, Tom Fanning didn’t just fall into his role. His initial introduction to the industry came at the age of 16, working for his dad’s general contracting company on projects throughout New England. He gained valuable, diverse trade skills, starting as a laborer and eventually graduating to carpenter, dump truck driver, and equipment operator during high school and college breaks.  This hands-on experience gave him a healthy respect for the trades and an honest day’s labor, and helped him build a foundation of skills he still uses today.

The next leg of his journey was a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Colgate University, where he learned basic research, writing, and critical-thinking skills while also playing Division 1 basketball. After graduating from Colgate, Tom started working at Gilbane Building Company, where he met his future business partner, Lee Burneson. Tom worked primarily in field operations positions and was fortunate to be assigned to a Gilbane hard bid/self-perform team with Lee as a field engineer, furnishing line and grade for the trades. He eventually progressed through various engineering and superintendent positions, where he learned how a building goes together. During this phase of his career, Tom benefited immensely from a strong mentor who rounded out his soft skills and taught him to communicate, motivate, and actively manage teams. Northstar’s intense focus on mentoring and skills development programs was, in many ways, a byproduct of this experience.           

After six years with Gilbane, Tom returned to school and earned a Master’s in Land Use Planning and Urban Design from the University of Rhode Island, with the goal of transitioning into real estate development. Tom then joined Spaulding & Slye, which was later acquired by JLL in 2005, where he worked for over 15 years, starting as a project manager and working his way up to becoming a senior vice president in the development services group. During his time there, Tom was fortunate to work on a diverse range of projects across all major market segments, including the company’s investment arm, Spaulding & Slye Investments. Tom carried his “at risk” development skills into many of his fee-for-service assignments with a particular focus on large-scale ground-up residential and office projects. He developed a robust client roster, maintaining a foothold in both the fee-for-service business and investment development worlds. 

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A Tailored Approach to Client Success at Every Scale

Early education centers, while modest in size, quickly prove they are far from simple buildouts, bringing a unique mix of regulatory, operational, and stakeholder coordination that demands a highly adaptable and hands-on approach from day one.

Early education facilities require an equal level of precision, comparable to much larger developments. Success depends not on square footage, but on early alignment of the team and disciplined execution across design, construction, and operational readiness.

Establishing governance structures, decision-making pathways, and approval processes is often a critical early step. Clear accountability, defined escalation procedures, and structured stakeholder engagement provide the foundation for predictable outcomes. Aligning the project team with a client’s current operational guidelines and capacity ensures that delivery strategies reflect current realities, rather than relying on assumptions based on past or typical projects.

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A Year of Recognition: CoreNet Awards and Leadership Milestones at Northstar

Recognized for Project Excellence

We’re excited to share that Northstar has had a standout year, receiving recognition from the CoreNet Global New England Chapter. These honors highlight the dedication of our team and the impact of our work across the corporate real estate industry. Every year, the CoreNet Global New England Chapter’s Awards of Excellence gala brings together end users and service providers to celebrate the people and projects making a difference in the built environment.

This year, three projects supported by Northstar earned CoreNet Awards, showing how our work makes a difference in some of the region’s most complex workplaces and life sciences spaces. The winning projects were Biogen‘s 75 Broadway Global Headquarters (Deal of the Year), Sanofi M Station (Best New Workplace Outside of New England), and Takeda Pharmaceutical‘s Global Learning Center (Best New Small Workplace).

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Northstar Celebrates Kerry Logue’s 10-Year Anniversary

Kerry is a skilled Senior Project Manager who has more than 17 years of experience in design, construction, and real estate. She brings a unique perspective to her work, with insight into communication, enabling her to thoughtfully support effective client relationships and team collaboration. A trusted partner, Kerry is known for the genuine relationships she builds and her ability to connect with people in ways that foster trust.

Kerry’s Northstar journey began with a variety of projects, from corporate tenant interiors to ground-up construction and capital improvements. She’s been involved in several notable projects, including a 21-story residential building for American Campus Communities at Northeastern University, the relocation of 2,000 Akamai Technologies employees, and AEW Capital Management’s headquarters. Along the way, Kerry has become known for her thoughtful leadership, collaborative spirit, and knack for navigating complex challenges.

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A Conversation with our Intern, Danielle Flaherty: 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, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and CREST (Commercial Real Estate Success Training) to identify exceptional candidates.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Danielle Flaherty to our team for the past three months. Danielle is from Wilmington, Massachusetts, and is a rising Senior at Wentworth Institute of Technology studying Construction Management with a minor in Business Administration. In her spare time, she loves teaching Pilates and spin classes, dancing, traveling, and hanging out with friends.

During her time with us, she was actively involved in Harvard University Housing’s 100 South Campus Drive project. Danielle attended weekly meetings, participated in punch list items, supported functional commissioning, and assisted with close-out activities. She maintained key project trackers, including schedules, punch lists, and other close-out documentation. In addition, she joined site tours for other projects, including an office fit-out and Nan Fung Life Science’s project at 470 Atlantic Avenue.

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Northstar Promotes Daniel Govoni and Lisa Hamilton to Associate Principal

Northstar is taking on new and challenging owner’s project management assignments across the real estate landscape. To support this growth, Daniel Govoni and Lisa Hamilton have been promoted to associate principal in recognition of their proven leadership, client impact, and ability to deliver results across large-scale projects.

Both Dan and Lisa have been with Northstar for nearly 15 years, building long-standing relationships and earning the trust of clients and colleagues through hands-on leadership. Their ability to guide projects from early planning through completion reflects Northstar’s value at every stage of a project.

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Patrick Burns Featured in NEREJ’s Spring Preview Spotlight

Pat Burns was recently featured in the New England Real Estate Journal’s Spring Preview Spotlight issue, where he shared insights into market activity, what projects are keeping the team busy, and what challenges are shaping the commercial real estate landscape over the next couple of months. Below is what he had to say.

What trends or market activity are you seeing as we move into the spring season?
As an owner’s project manager, my primary focus over the past few years has been the fit-out of office space. There is a growing trend toward enhancing the workplace experience, aiming to create an office worth commuting to. These enhancements can range from high-end coffee machines in office “pantries” to an entire floor dedicated to a full-service restaurant offering significant discounts to employees.

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Celebrating Five Years: Peter Arsenault’s Impact at Northstar

Northstar is proud to celebrate Peter Arsenault’s five-year anniversary with the firm. In this time, Peter has become an indispensable member of the Northstar team, contributing over 17 years of project management expertise across life sciences, healthcare, R&D, capital improvements, tenant interiors, and ground-up development. 

As a Senior Project Manager, Peter has overseen projects from initial planning and design through construction and close-out, consistently achieving exceptional results on schedule and within budget. His experience includes work with life science clients, educational institutions, commercial developments, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, often on challenging, high-profile projects requiring precision, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the construction process. 

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Redefining Project Leadership: Celebrating Women in Construction

As Women in Construction Week continues, we’re shining a spotlight on three inspiring voices: Pratiksha Gade, Kerry Logue, and Olivia Pedro. Over the course of the week, they’ve offered insights on leadership, opportunity, and the evolving landscape of building a career in owner’s project management.

Now, we’re bringing their reflections together to highlight the projects they’re most proud of, the opportunities they believe are shaping the industry, and the advice they would offer to the next generation of women in construction.

From meaningful project milestones to lessons learned along the way, their responses provide a thoughtful perspective on how leadership, collaboration, and curiosity are driving progress across the industry.

Read on for their insights and the perspectives that are shaping the future of construction.

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Leading the Way: Women in Construction at Northstar

For Women in Construction Week, we honor the remarkable women of Northstar who are driving our projects and reshaping industry leadership.

This year’s theme, ‘Level Up, Build Strong,’ celebrates career advancement and stronger, more inclusive futures for women. Nearly 40% of Northstar’s team are women, leading projects, mentoring future professionals, and driving innovation through diverse perspectives. From driving complex developments to mentoring the next generation of professionals, their impact extends far beyond individual projects. Their diverse background and perspectives fuel innovation, strengthen collaboration, and enhance the value we deliver to our clients.

In recognition of this year’s theme, we invited our team members to reflect on two questions: Who or what has inspired you to level up and embrace leadership roles in construction? And how has your role as an Owner’s Project Manager strengthened the industry?

At Northstar and as Owner’s Project Managers, we are dedicated to assembling strong teams whose diversity enables us to drive the best possible solutions and results for our clients. We believe progress happens intentionally, through mentorship, advocacy, accountability, and a culture that empowers every voice at the table.

Join us as we celebrate the insights, experiences, and accomplishments of our talented team members, who share stories of leadership, growth, and impact.

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Kerry Logue Featured in NEREJ’s Women in Construction Spotlight

Kerry Logue, 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, Kerry shares her perspectives on the accomplishment she is most proud of, what she wishes more women knew about opportunities in the construction industry, the emerging opportunity that will shape the industry, and a piece of advice she offers to women beginning their construction careers. 

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Below Grade to Big Picture: Dave Girard’s Untraditional Path to Principal at Northstar

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.

An Untraditional Path to Being a Principal at Northstar   

Dave Girard’s career journey began in the maze of Boston and Cambridge’s city infrastructures. With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in geotechnical engineering, Dave tackled complex below-grade projects in urban environments, which drove his need for creativity and precision in problem-solving. His early days were spent overseeing the below-grade portions of multiple large-scale developments. 

Dave honed his experience working on geotechnical and environmental projects at GEI Consultants and later with Haley & Aldrich. Advancing from engineer to senior engineer and senior project manager, he quickly moved up the ranks into management and mentorship as he obtained his professional engineering license. His portfolio includes managing complex below-grade, multi-building structures on Boston’s historic waterfront, where the buildings sit partially on land and overwater, coordinating up-down construction for a sensitive multi-use building with four levels below grade and five above; and overseeing the top-down construction of a 695-car, flat-slab, post-tensioned below-grade parking garage. Each project taught Dave something new and helped him become a critical thinker and problem-solver.  

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

At Northstar, success goes beyond completing projects or meeting deadlines; it’s defined by continuous growth, collaboration, and leadership at every level. Our culture is rooted in learning, responsiveness, meaningful relationships, and guiding both clients and project teams toward predictable, successful outcomes.

Leadership remains committed to fostering a mindset centered on thoughtful decision-making, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We believe in fully integrating into our clients’ cultures, delivering exceptional service, and approaching each challenge as an opportunity to grow. Every project is a chance to elevate our work and the people behind it.

This year’s newly promoted team members exemplify these values in action. Through their commitment to development, collaboration, and leadership, they have gone beyond their roles to contribute to the continued growth and evolution of the Northstar experience.

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Mentorship Matters from Day One

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.

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Lisa Hamilton Featured in NEREJ’s 2025 Year in Review Issue

Lisa Hamilton is featured in the New England Real Estate Journal’s 2025 Year in Review issue, where she reflects on a meaningful year for both the firm and the New England commercial real estate market. As Northstar celebrated its 15th anniversary, Lisa shares perspectives on the projects that helped define 2025, the firm’s continued focus on delivering exceptional client service, and how office and life science strategies are evolving.

She also looks ahead to 2026, offering insight into the trends shaping advisory-led investment and development decisions across Greater Boston and the region.

Looking back at 2025, what deal, project, or key moment best reflected the direction of the New England CRE market this year?

With return-to-work initiatives continuing, I was thrilled to support Clarion Partners with repositioning its office/lab building at 245 First Street. Tenants have an abundance of real estate options, and landlords are increasingly required to take a forward-thinking approach to offering more than just an office. Through the development of high, medium, and low-intervention designs, Northstar produced budgets and schedules that enabled Clarion to make an informed decision. The resulting project will deliver amenity enhancements, system upgrades, and a dramatic transformation of the entry experience.

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Dan Govoni Featured in NEREJ’s Ones To Watch – Industry Leaders Spotlight

Dan Govoni stands out as a leader at Northstar, bringing a strategic vision that elevates every project. He not only manages tasks but prioritizes mentorship and continuous learning, encouraging colleagues to strive for excellence in owner’s project management. Dan creates an environment that values collaboration and personal development. His approach ensures that everyone is focused on success.

Dan was recently featured in the New England Real Estate Journal’s Ones To Watch – Industry Leaders Spotlight issue, where he shared insights into his leadership philosophy, project accomplishments, and commitment to developing the next generation of talent. Below is what he had to say.

What recent accomplishment or initiative are you most proud of, and what impact did it have on your firm, clients, or community? The professional initiative I am most proud of is my role as OPM for the 75 Broadway development. The accomplishment lies in assembling and supporting a phenomenal team of top-tier professionals (developers, tenants, design team, contractors) who are the best in their fields. My role is to serve as a member of the central nervous system, proactively solving complex problems—from managing approvals to brokering technical consensus—to keep the project on schedule and within budget. The success of this initiative provides essential risk mitigation for the client’s investment, significantly elevates the firm’s reputation, and ultimately injects economic vitality into the community through a future landmark structure.

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Leading with Vision: Celebrating Kirstin Brown’s Recognition as a Top Woman in Commercial Real Estate

We are proud to celebrate Kirstin Brown, who has been honored by Connect CRE as one of the Top Women in Commercial Real Estate this year. Her recent appointment as President in 2024 not only highlights her significant contributions to Northstar’s long-term strategy but also reflects her unwavering dedication to the people she works with, both clients and team members.

A Vision Built on Relationships

With over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry and an impressive portfolio exceeding $2 billion in complex developments, Kirstin has helped shape some of the region’s most transformative projects, from MIT’s 675-bed graduate housing complex to Northeastern University’s 23-story mixed-use tower at 840 Columbus Avenue, and BioMed Realty’s multi-phase Assembly Innovation Park in Somerville.

At her core, Kirstin is a “project junkie” who believes that real estate is fundamentally about people. This mindset shapes everything she does at Northstar. She loves the work she does, and every project has at least two people on it, and one of them is always a principal or shareholder, ensuring senior-level oversight on every project.

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Repositioning Real Estate Assets with Highest & Best Use Studies

What is a Highest and Best Use Study?

A Highest & Best Use (HBU) study is a structured analysis used to evaluate the most profitable use of a real estate asset based on its physical condition, location, regulatory environment, and market demand. These studies are particularly valuable when an existing asset is underperforming, vacant, or approaching a natural transition point in its lifecycle. The objective is to assess viable alternatives for repositioning or redeveloping the property to optimize returns.

These studies are beneficial to owners, brokers, or asset managers who need to make informed decisions. Brokers may use them to propose creative solutions when a listing is failing to lease or sell. Asset managers may seek HBU studies when market fundamentals shift, such as remote work driving down demand for traditional office space or new housing policies unlocking development potential.

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