About NorthStar
Empowering school systems to graduate world-ready students through evidence-based strategic planning, targeted professional learning, and advanced analytics that turn data into a roadmap for postsecondary success.
Our Mission
To equip school districts and their partners with actionable and evidence-based strategic planning frameworks, AI-powered analytics, and targeted professional learning that strengthen data literacy, accelerate measurable improvement, and build sustainable organizational capacity.
Our Vision
There will be a day when all K-12 school systems are agile and structured to differentiate leadership, curriculum, and instruction so each student graduates with the skills and attributes needed for their post-secondary experience.
Our Team
Meet the dedicated team behind NorthStar Advisors.
Dr. Leila Nuland is a nationally recognized education leader and strategist with more than two decades of experience helping public school districts translate vision into meaningful instructional impact. A former classroom teacher and district advisor, she has worked alongside superintendents, technology leaders, and instructional teams to align strategy, systems, and day-to-day practice. Dr. Nuland is known for her practical, execution-focused approach to change, emphasizing cross-departmental collaboration, shared ownership, and sustainable implementation. Her work supports district leaders in moving beyond technology adoption toward coherent, student-centered outcomes that improve teaching and learning at scale.
Alex is a globally recognized education leader and innovator with nearly 30 years of experience as an educator and education entrepreneur. He started his career as a Physics teacher and has been leading educational organizations for over 25 years. Alex enjoys working in seamless collaboration with district and school system leaders to develop instructional strategy, integrate meaningful technology and support systemic change through innovative instructional practices. He has presented at international education conferences and recently delivered a series of keynotes in Southeast Asia on the role of Artificial Intelligence in education.
Alex is also the Founder and CEO of Eduscape, a professional learning organization focused on empowering educators to unlock the potential of every learner; and is also the founder of Rethink Learning, a MA-based 501(c)3 dedicated to developing research-driven programs and practices that empower PreK-12 learners and the educators that support them.. Alex has a BS in Physics, a MSc in Econometrics and Financial Engineering and a MS in Instructional Design.
Morton Sherman is a distinguished educator with over 40 years of experience, most recently serving as the retired Senior Associate Executive Director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Throughout his career as a superintendent across the country, he has been a tireless advocate for high-level student achievement and inclusive leadership. His contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the GlobalMindED K-12 Inclusive Leader Award and the VAESP Pathfinder Award. Beyond his administrative roles, Sherman serves on the executive committee for the Goldie Hawn Foundation and has held board positions with organizations such as the Minority Student Achievement Network and the National Superintendents Roundtable.
A prolific writer, Sherman has authored four books and over 500 articles, holding a doctorate in educational administration from Lehigh University. His latest work, Resonant Minds: The Transformative Power of Music, One Note at a Time, coauthored with his daughter Sara Sherman and featuring a foreword by Goldie Hawn, explores the intersection of music and mindfulness. The book highlights how intentional listening can reduce stress and foster community connection, ranging from the classical works of Bach to the contemporary pop of Taylor Swift.
Our Values
Innovation: Preparing for the Next Frontier
Strategic planning must be an iterative methodology that guides innovation rather than a static document. We believe in building agile systems that foster agile people, positioning AI and emerging technologies as drivers of personalized learning and professional growth to ensure districts remain future-ready.
Opportunity: Success for Every Field of Choice
Our mission is to ensure that every student is equipped for success in their specific field of choice, whether that leads to enrollment, employment, or enlistment. We move beyond "one-size-fits-all" approaches to ensure all students have access to the high-value pathways and instructional opportunities that lead to a secure future.
Collaboration: Building the "First Team"
Transformation is a collective investment that requires expanding engagement beyond internal stakeholders to include workforce agencies, industry leaders, and community partners. We foster systemic synergy by clarifying roles, establishing trust, and aligning leadership across the organization to function with a unified purpose.
Data-Driven Decision Making: From Insight to Action
Effective leadership requires a culture of inquiry where data is used for learning and improvement, not just accountability or compliance. We transform fragmented information into actionable insights that inform policy, instruction, and resource allocation to ensure every dollar supports student outcomes.
Lasting Impact: Investing in Posterity
We think beyond immediate pressures to invest in the long arc of collective well-being. By focusing on actual system readiness and instructional quality rather than short-sighted solutions, we ensure that the changes we implement today create a resilient foundation for the generations to come.