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Best Fractional CMOs in Sacramento
Sacramento Fractional CMOs
Sacramento has always had its own flavor of innovation. As California’s capital, it carries the weight of policy and public service, but it’s also a hub for growing startups, mission-driven nonprofits, and independent businesses that want to stand out. Marketing in Sacramento isn’t just about running ads—it’s about navigating civic priorities, connecting with diverse communities, and building campaigns that balance authenticity with measurable results.
That’s why the Fractional CMO model is thriving here. Instead of hiring a full-time marketing executive too early, Sacramento businesses are turning to seasoned consultants who can step in with high-level strategy and flexible execution. It’s the perfect model for the region—where budgets matter, but so does brand reputation.
At Digital Reference, we spent months researching consultants in Sacramento—from solo operators to boutique agencies—looking at impact, methodology, thought leadership, and authenticity. Our mission is to help businesses identify not just talent, but the right kind of marketing leadership.
Here are the consultants shaping Sacramento’s marketing story.
🌟 Meet Sacramento’s Fractional CMOs
💠 Lidia Zaragoza
Fractional CMO, Founder, MOI Consultants
When it comes to bringing clarity to brand chaos, Lidia Zaragoza has become one of Sacramento’s go-to consultants. As founder of MOI Consultants, she positions herself as offering “Marketing Without the Noise.” That philosophy guides every project she leads—cutting through overcomplication and helping businesses focus on what really drives growth.
Her Fractional CMO Retainer service provides small and mid-sized organizations the chance to access senior-level strategy without committing to a full-time hire. Lidia’s background blends strategic positioning, messaging, and auditing. For Sacramento’s nonprofits, civic organizations, and growth-minded businesses, this makes her an invaluable partner.
✨ What makes Lidia stand out:
🟢 Offers structured marketing audits that highlight what’s working and what’s waste.
🟢 Focused on purpose-driven messaging that connects across Sacramento’s diverse communities.
🟢 Builds frameworks that scale—whether you’re a one-person startup or a mid-size org.
🟢 Known for her no-nonsense, client-first approach that prioritizes outcomes over flash.
Lidia’s method has resonated with Sacramento leaders who want strategy built to last. Expect her influence to grow as more organizations embrace flexible leadership in 2025.
💠 Shayna Miller
Fractional CMO | Founder, Ethos Ink Media
At Ethos Ink Media, Shayna Miller has made a name for herself as a consultant who turns “ideas into action.” Her career spans over a decade of marketing, startups, and business development—and in Sacramento, she works with entrepreneurs who want to scale authentically without burning out.
Her approach balances operational clarity with creativity. She’s not about empty hype campaigns—she builds roadmaps that align with a founder’s vision and values. Clients often describe her as a seamless extension of their team.
✨ Shayna’s unique strengths:
🟢 Deep expertise in helping solopreneurs and small businesses grow without losing their identity.
🟢 Offers a systematic yet human approach—marrying strategy with empathy.
🟢 Transparent collaborator: she stays close to her clients, often operating like an embedded team member.
🟢 Has a strong track record of guiding Sacramento brands in both tech and mission-driven spaces.
In a city where many founders juggle limited resources, Shayna’s model provides a structured yet sustainable way to scale. In 2025, she remains one of Sacramento’s most authentic and results-driven marketing leaders.
💠 Heather Ward
Founder, Heather Ward Marketing | Marketing Strategist & Consultant
With a strong background in professional services marketing, Heather Ward has carved out a niche supporting law firms, consultants, and other professional organizations. Through her consultancy, Heather Ward Marketing, she provides both strategy and execution—ensuring businesses don’t just design plans but actually implement them.
Heather is known for bringing a professional’s voice into the marketing process. For industries like legal or financial services, this is crucial. She helps firms build credibility, connect with their audience, and develop campaigns that balance authority with relatability.
✨ Heather’s key highlights:
🟢 Provides fractional leadership for professional firms that need senior expertise without the full-time commitment.
🟢 Specializes in event marketing and client experience strategies.
🟢 Known for being detail-oriented, highly organized, and easy to collaborate with.
🟢 Offers tailored strategies for Sacramento’s professional service sector, where reputation is everything.
Heather ensures her clients’ marketing communicates not just expertise, but trustworthiness—making her a top resource for Sacramento’s professional industries.
💠 Holly Avila
Fractional CMO & Marketing Growth Architect
As a Fractional CMO, Holly Avila helps growth-stage businesses and startups clarify their marketing strategy, define their go-to-market positioning, and accelerate revenue. With experience spanning brand development, demand generation, and marketing leadership, she provides the kind of executive guidance many organizations need but can’t yet afford full-time.
Holly’s strength lies in her ability to step into complex business challenges and quickly establish a roadmap that blends strategy with execution. She has worked across industries, offering founders and leadership teams clarity in times of transition, expansion, or repositioning.
✨ Why Holly is a Charlotte standout:
🟢 Brings deep expertise as a Fractional CMO for startups and scaling companies.
🟢 Skilled at aligning brand identity with market opportunities.
🟢 Creates actionable growth architectures that combine strategy, messaging, and execution.
🟢 Known for guiding businesses through pivotal phases of change with clarity and confidence.
Holly’s mix of strategic leadership and hands-on marketing expertise makes her a Fractional CMO to watch in 2025.
💠 Mike Linville
Founder & CEO, Black Dog Marketing
As the founder of Black Dog Marketing, Mike Linville brings over 25 years of digital marketing expertise to Sacramento businesses. His agency delivers end-to-end services: from website design and SEO to marketing automation and demand generation.
Mike’s strength lies in his ability to bridge technical execution with marketing strategy. Sacramento clients often highlight his responsiveness, clarity, and personal investment in their success. He’s the type of leader who ensures that big-picture strategy translates into actionable campaigns.
✨ Why Mike is a Sacramento standout:
🟢 Delivers high-level fractional leadership alongside a full-service digital agency.
🟢 Trusted by businesses for being hands-on and invested in long-term client outcomes.
🟢 Provides expertise in automation, analytics, and digital infrastructure—critical for scaling.
🟢 His agency supports purpose-driven brands, making him a natural fit in Sacramento’s nonprofit and civic sectors.
Mike’s mix of technical know-how and executive perspective makes him a Fractional CMO leader to watch in 2025.
Wrapping It Up: Sacramento’s Fractional CMO Scene & The Digital Reference Difference
Sacramento is at the intersection of policy, community, and innovation. To thrive here, businesses need more than marketing campaigns—they need leadership that understands strategy, storytelling, and scalability.
At Digital Reference, we’re committed to surfacing this type of talent. Our platform highlights professionals through video resumes, structured references, and consultant spotlights—putting authenticity at the heart of professional growth.
👉 Want more insights? Explore:
- Find Fractional CMOs Near You
- Market Research Consultants in Los Angeles to Watch
- Best Fractional CMOs in San Diego
- Best Fractional CMOs in San Francisco
Sacramento deserves marketing leaders who bring strategy, execution, and authenticity. These Fractional CMOs are at the forefront of shaping how the region grows.
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