Scarlett Bouder

President and Co-Founder

As president of Advocacy & Communication Solutions, LLC (ACS), Scarlett directs strategic communication planning, government relations and advocacy efforts, and policy analysis and strategy development for ACS clients.

Scarlett has more than 20 years of experience in government relations and communication. After launching ACS in 2004, she joined the administration of Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland in 2007 to serve as Director of Communication & Marketing and later Chief of Staff at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, an agency with an $18-billion budget. Scarlett rejoined ACS in 2009.

Previously, Scarlett held government relations and communication positions for The Cleveland Metropolitan School District, The Greater Cleveland Film Commission, Ohio Alzheimer Council, and the Ohio Democratic House caucus races, where she led strategic communication efforts for more than 20 local and statewide candidate and issue campaigns. She led communication and marketing strategy for two cabinet-level Ohio agencies that were responsible for Medicaid, workforce and child welfare programs.

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 of experience developing and implementing strategies that help clients achieve measurable results.

Download Scarlett's Bio