Government and Policy Makers

Strategic Leadership for Women’s Economic Empowerment.

Advancing gender equality through informed, strategic policy leadership.

Gender equality is a driver of economic growth and social well-being. Yet persistent gaps remain in workforce participation, entrepreneurship, income equity, access to capital, caregiving responsibilities, and leadership representation. Effective policy is essential but systems-level change requires strategic leadership, data-driven decisions, and cross-sector collaboration.

Acote supports policymakers in designing and advancing initiatives that improve economic opportunities for women while strengthening the broader economy.

What we offer

Policymakers play a critical role in shaping the economic conditions that enable women to thrive. Acote Consulting provides strategic insight, gender-equity analysis, and leadership support to help governments design effective policies, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and accelerate progress toward gender equality.

We translate complexity into clarity—so you can make informed policy decisions that drive meaningful, measurable change for women and communities.

  • We provide strategic insight rooted in research, gender-based analysis (GBA+), and the lived experience of women.

    Services include:

    • Policy and program review through a gender-equity lens

    • Economic and social barrier mapping

    • Evidence-informed recommendations

  • Policy succeeds when leadership is aligned and supported.

    Services include:

    • Executive advisory and strategic counsel

    • Cross-department facilitation

    • Decision-making and prioritization support

  • We help develop impactful strategies that advance women’s economic security.

    Areas include:

    • Workforce participation

    • Entrepreneurship and access to capital

    • Pay equity and labour market standards

    • Care economy and flexible work infrastructure

  • We strengthen coordination across government, nonprofit, and industry partners.

    Services include:

    • Stakeholder engagement and consultation

    • Ecosystem mapping and partnership strategies

    • Collective impact and shared measurement frameworks

Supporting Policymakers Advancing Gender Equality

Acote partners with government leaders at all levels to design effective gender-equity strategies, strengthen leadership alignment, and build the systems needed to advance women’s economic empowerment.

  • At the federal level, Acote supports policy leaders in developing national strategies, funding models, and policies that address systemic barriers to women’s economic security. We provide gender-based analysis, strategic design, and cross-jurisdictional insight to ensure federal priorities translate into meaningful action across the country.

    Key Themes:

    • National economic strategy

    • Workforce and labour market policy

    • Cross-ministerial collaboration

    • Funding frameworks and national program design

    • Federal GBA+ integration

    Shannon Pestun has served as an appointed member on:

    • Canada’s women entrepreneurship strategy expert panel - ISED

    • Indigenous women’s advisory Circle - Women and Gender Equality Canada

  • Acote helps provincial policy leaders design and implement policies that strengthen women’s participation in the workforce, entrepreneurship, and local economies. We support strategic planning, consultation processes, and sector-specific approaches grounded in local economic realities.

    Key Themes:

    • Workforce development strategies

    • Business and entrepreneurship supports

    • Regional economic planning

    • Social policy integration (care economy, housing, education)

    • Program delivery and performance measurement

  • Acote supports municipal policy leaders in developing practical, community-driven strategies that enhance women’s economic security. From local workforce initiatives to inclusive economic development, we help cities and municipalities design policies rooted in lived experience and local needs.

    Key Themes:

    • Local economic development

    • Small business and entrepreneurship ecosystems

    • Transportation, childcare, and housing barriers

    • Community consultation and engagement

    • Data-driven approaches to local gender equity

Why policymakers choose to partner with Acote

Policymakers choose to partner with Acote for our ability to translate complex systems into practical, actionable strategies.

We combine:

  • Deep expertise in women’s economic empowerment

  • A clear, evidence-informed strategic approach

  • Insights grounded in lived experience and community realities

  • Strong facilitation and leadership support

  • A commitment to equity, collaboration, and meaningful impact

When you work with Acote you’ll get:

  • Clear, evidence-informed insights on gender-based barriers

  • Strategic frameworks that align teams, departments, and partners

  • Impact-focused policy design and evaluation

  • Lived-experience perspectives to ensure policies reflect real needs

  • Support navigating complexity, competing priorities, and political pressures

Our work helps governments turn commitments into results—and build the conditions where women, families, and economies thrive.

Together we unlock a more inclusive, sustainable economy.

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