Best Fractional CMOs in Raleigh

Raleigh Interim & Fractional Chief Marketing Officers

Raleigh, North Carolina, isn’t just the state’s capital—it’s one of the most dynamic business ecosystems in the Southeast. Nestled within the Research Triangle, Raleigh has grown into a hub where startups, tech firms, universities, and creative agencies thrive side by side. With such energy, it’s no surprise that the demand for Fractional CMO consultants has skyrocketed.

These professionals are rewriting the rules of marketing leadership. Instead of committing to a single company full-time, Fractional CMOs lend their expertise across multiple organizations, bringing fresh perspective, strategy, and scalability to businesses that want growth without the overhead of an in-house executive. In Raleigh, they are shaping the future of industries from SaaS to healthcare, from local B2C brands to global B2B firms.

At Digital Reference, we spend months researching, interviewing, and evaluating professionals before we publish lists like this. We focus on the qualities that matter:

• Proven track records of scaling companies
  
  
• Unique methodologies that stand out in the crowded marketing landscape
  
  
• A balance between creativity and data-driven execution
  
  
• True presence in the Raleigh ecosystem (whether as independent consultants or firm leaders)

Below, we’re excited to share our curated list of Fractional CMO consultants in Raleigh to watch in 2025. Some are solo practitioners, others run their own agencies, and some are tied to firms—but all are shaping Raleigh’s marketing future.

🌟 Meet Raleigh’s Fractional CMOs Making things Happen

💠 Kristi Griggs

Fractional CMO at The Inspira Agency

🔗 LinkedIn

Kristi Griggs has built her career on blending strategic marketing insights with human-centered leadership. With years of experience in healthcare, financial services, and technology, Kristi has worked as a trusted marketing advisor who knows how to cut through complexity.

✨ Highlights of Kristi’s approach:

🟢 Deep expertise in integrated marketing communications

🟢 Known for aligning executive leadership with marketing teams to avoid “siloed” strategies

🟢 A track record of supporting organizations through growth inflection points

💠 Katya Gorlatova

Founder at Women Square

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

If you’ve researched Fractional CMOs nationally, chances are you’ve seen Katya Gorlatova’s name before. Based in Raleigh and part of the FractionalCMOs.com team, Katya has become a go-to strategist for scaling B2B businesses.

✨ Katya’s distinct strengths:

🟣 Building customer-centric marketing frameworks for mid-market businesses

🟣 Helping companies reposition themselves when traditional marketing strategies stall

🟣 Mentorship and team development, ensuring her work scales beyond her tenure

💠 Michelle Murray

Founder & Principal at Your Fractional CMO

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

As the founder of Your Fractional CMO, Michelle Murray has built her consultancy around one mission: helping businesses develop clear, actionable marketing strategies that actually deliver ROI.

✨ What sets Michelle apart:

🔵 Entrepreneurial mindset—she has built and scaled her own ventures, not just advised others

🔵 A strong foundation in brand storytelling that resonates with B2B and B2C companies alike

🔵 A reputation for helping teams adopt data-driven decision-making without losing creativity

💠 Eric Gruber

Fractional CMO for SaaS and Tech Companies

🔗 LinkedIn

Eric Gruber makes it clear that he’s more than just a marketer—he’s a growth strategist focused on sales alignment. Eric understands that marketing doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it has to drive revenue and sales results.

✨ Highlights of Eric’s impact:

🟡 Expertise in content-driven lead generation

🟡 A history of helping B2B companies scale by aligning marketing strategies with revenue goals

🟡 A hands-on approach, often working directly with sales leadership to execute campaigns

💠 Leslie Cramer

Fractional CMO and Founder at Red Pin Marketing

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

As the founder of Redpin Marketing, Leslie Cramer has been a staple in Raleigh’s marketing community for years. She brings a wealth of experience in brand strategy, demand generation, and creative campaign development.

✨ Why Leslie is one to watch:

🔴 Founder of her own marketing firm, showcasing leadership and entrepreneurial drive

🔴 Deep expertise in strategic positioning for companies facing competitive challenges

🔴 A commitment to developing campaigns that combine creative storytelling with measurable ROI

Closing Thoughts: Raleigh’s Fractional CMO Landscape and Digital Reference

Raleigh is a city defined by growth, collaboration, and innovation. The Fractional CMOs featured here—Kristi Griggs, Katya Gorlatova, Michelle Murray, Eric Gruber, and Leslie Cramer—are more than consultants; they’re architects of growth for companies across industries. Whether they’re working as independent freelancers, leading their own consultancies, or representing established firms, each is contributing to Raleigh’s identity as a marketing hub.

From startups in need of their first strategic marketing leader to established firms looking for a new perspective, the Raleigh area has no shortage of brilliant Fractional CMOs. And with Digital Reference as your guide, you’ll always know who’s worth watching next.

👉 For more insights into marketing leadership, don’t miss our guide on Fractional CMO or Outsourced CMO: Choosing the Right Fit

 👉 Curious about research-backed strategies? Explore our resource on How to Hire a Market Research Consultant.

 👉 Still deciding on the right leadership model? Our perspective on Market Research Consulting Services in the USA showcases how specialized expertise can fuel growth in different markets.

At Digital Reference, our mission is to make marketing leadership accessible, clear, and actionable. We research extensively to surface professionals who are shaping the future of their cities, ensuring that businesses can find the right fit for their unique needs. If you’re still weighing your options, we encourage you to explore our About page and learn why our methodology is different.