Scarlett Bouder

President and Co-Founder

Scarlett Bouder is a seasoned executive, strategist, and advocate with over 25 years of experience in government relations, strategic communication, and public policy. As co-founder and president of ACS, a nationally respected, women-led consulting firm, Scarlett directs high-impact strategies across communication, government affairs, and policy development. Her expertise spans early childhood and K–12 education, workforce development, Medicaid, and health and human services.

A trusted leader in both the public and private sectors, Scarlett launched ACS in 2004. She briefly stepped away to serve in Governor Ted Strickland’s administration as Director of Communication and Marketing and later as Chief of Staff for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, managing an $18 billion budget and overseeing communications for cabinet-level agencies. She returned to ACS in 2009, guiding the firm’s growth in revenue and national reach.

Prior to founding ACS, Scarlett shaped communications and policy for organizations including the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, The Greater Cleveland Film Commission, and the Ohio Democratic House Caucus, where she led over 20 political campaigns.

Scarlett is deeply committed to civic leadership, having served on the boards of Dress for Success Columbus (Vice President), Greater Cleveland Gay & Lesbian Center, Environment Ohio, and others. She holds a BA in Political Science from The College of Wooster.

Now based in Columbus with her husband and two sons, Scarlett leads ACS as one of Ohio’s only female- and minority-owned consulting firms, renowned for delivering award-winning, results-driven strategies across sectors.

In addition to her professional commitments, Scarlett previously served on the boards of: 

  • Dress for Success Columbus (Vice President) 
  • Greater Cleveland Gay & Lesbian Center 
  • Environment Ohio 
  • Ohio Healthcare Workforce Advisory Council 
  • Cuyahoga County Health & Human Services Levy Steering Committee

Scarlett earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The College of Wooster. Scarlett, her husband, and two sons live in Columbus, Ohio.

ACS is one of the only female- and minority-owned consulting firms in Ohio. The women-led, women-driven firm has a national reputation for its communication and strategy development expertise and deep understanding of policy and advocacy, especially for organizations in the early childhood and K-12 education sectors. Collectively, the firm has more than 75 years’ experience developing and implementing strategies that help clients achieve measurable results. The ACS team has won international, national and local awards for its work.

ACS has been the recipient of various awards and accolades recognizing their work as a firm with a history of growth and national expertise, for client projects around the country and their first publication, Influence on All Cylinders. These include but are not limited to the following, including the release of the firm’s first publication:

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