The federal government's goal is to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year.
LANSING, Mich. — Public Sector Consultants, a force in public policy for more than 40 years, was recently certified as a Women-Owned Small Business by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“Women face a unique set of obstacles in business and in leadership roles,” said Julie Metty Bennett, PSC’s chief executive officer. “We also bring a unique set of skills and perspectives to the work. For PSC, that means we prioritize creating a forum for all voices to be heard, we deeply value consensus building and we recognize the challenges associated with marginalization.”
Metty Bennett, who has been with PSC for more than 20 years, is a leading voice in water, environmental, land-use and energy policy in Michigan and beyond. She also has deep expertise in nonprofits, having overseen the growth and development of two multimillion-dollar nonprofit organizations housed by PSC — Michigan Saves, the nation’s first nonprofit green bank, and the Great Lakes Fishery Trust.
Rachel Kuntzsch, co-shareholder and president of PSC founded and led her own public policy consultancy for 12 years before merging with PSC in 2016. Her business management experience combined with her expertise in economic development — especially in catalyzing entrepreneurial programs and industry cluster initiatives — strengthened the firm’s leadership team and broadened its service offerings.
“We talked about joining forces in concept years ago, then it evolved quickly,” Kuntzsch said. “Sometimes women can have a scarcity mindset about leadership potential that creates a culture of competition. Julie and I have shared values. We’re stronger together. Our partnership is built on bringing fresh ideas to policymaking.”
Together, Metty Bennett and Kuntzsch make up 100% ownership of the firm, easily satisfying the SBA’s requirement that a business must be 51% women-owned to qualify for WOSB certification. Other requirements are that women manage day-to-day operations and make long-term business decisions.
“It’s all about balance. One day I’m working with clients to bring together various stakeholders and figure out how to provide data-driven analysis, and the next Rachel and I are going over our strategic plan and trying to reevaluate business priorities in a world struggling through a public health crisis,” Metty Bennett said.
Kuntzsch added, “Understanding the issues of the day and how they impact people’s lives is a common passion shared by everyone at PSC. Julie and I are energized by the team’s strong commitment to collaboration and desire to help inform actionable public policy. And we do it by supporting clients in a nonpartisan, objective way.”
The WOSB certification allows government and other entities with specific contracting goals to more easily identify and work with women-owned small businesses.
“This certification is a tool that we — and other WOSBs — can use to increase opportunities and visibility, but the contracts are still required to go through a competitive process,” said Metty Bennett. “Our solid reputation of responding to client demand and being an objective voice that cuts through the noise of policymaking stands on its own.”
###
ABOUT PUBLIC SECTOR CONSULTANTS
Public Sector Consultants is an objective, nonpartisan research and consulting firm. Our implementation, facilitation, evaluation and research services have been used by hundreds of local, state and federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses to help better people’s lives in Michigan and beyond. For more information about Public Sector Consultants, visit publicsectorconsultants.com.
In the photo from left to right: Julie Metty Bennett, CEO, and Rachel Kuntzsch, president
.jpg "ei (11)")
