A Collaborative and Values-Driven Partner

Equitable Cities Collaborative is a certified women-owned and operated (WBE) firm founded by Sylvie Gallier Howard, who brings more than twenty years of public, private and non-profit experience, including serving as Commerce Director for the City of Philadelphia’s Department during the first year of COVID. Equitable Cities Collaborative provides strategic advisory services to governments, nonprofits, philanthropy, and the private sector related to economic development that leads to more equitable cities. We assist with strategy, research, stakeholder facilitation, policy and program implementation. Originally founded as Equitable Cities Consulting in 2021, we rebranded in 2025, leaning into the core of our model - collaboration. We collaborate with a robust network of partners to deliver our services, bringing extensive experience in community and economic development, neighborhood revitalization, workforce development, sustainability, urban resilience and more.

Reimagining Economic Development

Traditional thinking around urban economic development has focused on aggregated growth, prioritizing metrics such as population increase, industry proliferation and job creation. While these are important metrics, those involved in economic development efforts throughout the globe are reckoning with the fact that past efforts have rarely led to inclusive prosperity. With the pandemic exacerbating an already growing wealth chasm, cities, non-profits and companies are seeking new approaches and answers to shaping a more equitable, just and inclusive society. Inclusive economic growth requires intentional, community-informed and equity-focused methodologies.

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”

– Jane Jacobs