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Strategic Advisory

Strategic Advisory
Across the
49th Parallel

Northern Star Partners delivers government relations, strategic advisory, and business development services across the United States and Canada, helping clients navigate policy, unlock opportunity, and build lasting competitive advantage.

NORTHERN STAR PARTNERS
About The Firm

Navigating the Intersection of Policy and Opportunity

Northern Star Partners is a U.S.-based strategic advisory firm with deep operational expertise on both sides of the border. We advise corporations, institutions, and emerging companies on government relations, regulatory strategy, and business development at the federal, state, provincial, and municipal levels.

Our team brings direct experience inside government, institutional knowledge of legislative and procurement processes, and a network that spans Washington, Ottawa, and key state and provincial capitals. We understand the political economy of North America because we have operated within it.

Operational Presence
Washington, D.C. Toronto Ottawa
2
Countries Served
3
Levels of Government
50+
Engagements Completed
24/7
Client Availability
The Team

Principle Partners

Todd Arkell
Co-Founder & Partner

A strategic Public Sector Executive and Sales Leader with over 25 years of experience driving large-scale digital transformation and operational excellence across complex public-sector environments in North America. Known for navigating the intersection of government, technology, and institutional decision-making, Todd specializes in bridging the gap between sophisticated solutions and the procurement, regulatory, and operational realities that shape public-sector adoption.

Todd brings decades of experience as a high-impact relationship builder who excels at engaging senior stakeholders and articulating the tangible business value between technology and organizational outcomes. With a career focused on aligning solutions that deliver measurable results, together with a deep understanding of public-sector procurement and partnership development, Todd provides unique value to organizations looking to scale, launch strategic initiatives, and foster long-term relationships across the North American public-sector market.

Cody Mallette
Co-Founder & Partner

A strategic public affairs and advisory executive with experience spanning senior roles in government and private-sector strategic counsel, Cody specializes in helping organizations navigate complex public-sector, regulatory, and stakeholder environments across North America. Having served in the Office of the Premier of Ontario, Cody offers clients first-hand insight into one of North America's most important subnational governments and a market deeply tied to U.S. trade, investment, supply chains, and public policy. He is known for helping organizations understand how Canadian political and regulatory dynamics affect commercial strategy, and how to position effectively where government, markets, and reputation intersect.

Cody brings a strong track record as a high-impact relationship builder who excels at engaging senior stakeholders, managing sensitive issues, and aligning organizational priorities with government, regulatory, and broader market realities. With a career focused on shaping strategies that deliver measurable outcomes, combined with hands-on experience advising clients on market access, procurement, partnerships, and business development, Cody provides unique value to organizations looking to expand, invest, partner, or operate more effectively in Canada and across the broader North American landscape.

What We Do

Advisory Services Built for Complexity

Government Relations

Direct engagement with elected officials, senior staff, and regulatory agencies at every level of government. We advance client interests through informed advocacy, stakeholder mapping, and sustained relationship management.

Strategic Advisory

High-level counsel on regulatory environments, legislative risk, competitive positioning, and market entry strategy. We help clients understand the landscape before they enter it and move decisively once inside.

Business Development

Structured introductions, partnership facilitation, and commercial strategy that connect clients with the right counterparts. We create the conditions for growth by aligning interests and accelerating deal flow.

Regulatory & Policy

Deep analysis of regulatory frameworks, policy proposals, and compliance requirements across jurisdictions. We track legislative developments and translate complexity into actionable intelligence for decision-makers.

Procurement Strategy

Navigation of government and institutional procurement processes, from opportunity identification through bid strategy and contract positioning. We ensure clients compete effectively for public and institutional mandates.

Cross-Border Advisory

Specialized guidance for companies operating across the U.S.-Canada corridor. We address the regulatory, political, and commercial dimensions of cross-border market entry, expansion, and ongoing operations.

Cross-Border Expertise

One Continent. Two Systems. One Advisory Firm.

The U.S.-Canada economic relationship is the largest bilateral trading partnership in the world, yet the two countries operate under fundamentally different regulatory architectures, procurement systems, and political cultures. Northern Star Partners exists to bridge that divide.

We advise American companies entering Canadian markets and Canadian companies expanding south. Our team has worked inside government on both sides of the border and understands the institutional realities that shape outcomes in each jurisdiction.

Market Entry Strategy

Regulatory mapping, stakeholder identification, and phased entry plans for companies crossing the border in either direction.

Dual-Jurisdiction Advocacy

Coordinated government relations campaigns that address federal, state, and provincial governments simultaneously.

Trade & Tariff Navigation

Strategic counsel on USMCA compliance, customs procedures, and emerging trade policy that affects cross-border operations.

Regulatory Harmonization

Identification of regulatory overlap and divergence, with strategies to ensure compliance in both jurisdictions efficiently.

Institutional Relationship Building

Structured introductions to government officials, industry associations, and institutional partners in the target market.

The world's largest bilateral
trading corridor demands
one unified advisory

49TH PARALLEL Ottawa Toronto Washington, D.C.
Sector Focus

Industries We Know

Energy & Infrastructure

Power, utilities, critical energy, and large-scale capital projects

Education & Research

Postsecondary institutions, research partnerships, and education policy

Healthcare & Life Sciences

Health systems, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and regulatory approvals

Defence & Security

Defence procurement, critical infrastructure, and national security technology

Technology & Innovation

Clean technology, AI, telecommunications, and digital transformation

Real Estate & Development

Zoning, land use, municipal approvals, and development entitlements

Financial Services

Banking, insurance, fintech, and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions

Natural Resources

Mining, forestry, agriculture, and resource policy across North America

How We Work

Disciplined Process. Decisive Results.

I — Assess
Clear-Eyed Assessment

We map the regulatory, political, and commercial terrain. Every engagement begins with a clear-eyed assessment of constraints, stakeholders, and realistic objectives.

II — Strategize
Tailored Engagement Plans

We build a tailored engagement plan that sequences advocacy, introductions, and positioning activities for maximum impact within the client's timeline.

III — Execute
Direct Engagement

We engage directly with decision-makers, advance materials through the appropriate channels, and manage the process with the urgency the situation demands.

IV — Sustain
Durable Advantage

We maintain relationships, monitor policy developments, and ensure that early wins translate into durable competitive advantages for our clients.

Contact

Let's Work Together

Whether you are entering a new market, navigating a regulatory challenge, or seeking to build relationships at the highest levels of government, Northern Star Partners is ready to advise.

Headquartered in the United States
Operational presence in Washington D.C., Toronto & Ottawa