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Fractional CMOs in San Francisco Making Things Happen in 2025
San Francisco Interim Chief Marketing Officers to Know
San Francisco isn’t just a city—it’s a movement. It's where moonshots get funded, categories are created, and brands go from stealth to scale in a matter of months. But for all the focus on innovation, even the boldest startups need structure—especially when it comes to marketing. That’s where Fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) step in: blending deep experience with startup agility to help brands find their voice, scale their growth engines, and move fast with focus.
At Digital Reference, we believe in the power of radical transparency and radical authenticity. And nowhere is that more important than in the world of marketing leadership. This blog highlights the fractional CMOs in the San Francisco Bay Area who are helping early-stage and growth companies turn vision into visibility—and strategy into scalable success.
Our Methodology - SF Fractional CMO Services
To build this curated list of Fractional CMOs in the San Francisco Bay Area, we followed a clear methodology:
- Location: Based in San Francisco or surrounding areas such as Oakland, Palo Alto, Berkeley, and San Jose
- Service Model: Active as fractional, part-time, or interim CMOs—either independently or through small firms
- Digital Presence: Professional websites, active LinkedIn profiles, or publicly accessible portfolios
- Professional Credibility: Proven track record of strategic marketing leadership at startups, scale-ups, or category-leading brands
- Values Alignment: Professionals whose work and approach reflect Digital Reference’s focus on transparency, impact, and verification
These leaders don’t just consult—they partner. They sit at the intersection of strategy and execution, helping companies get from Series A to Series C, and beyond.
Meet the Fractional CMOs in San Francisco Making Things Happen
Wendy A.M. Yale
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyyale/
With two decades of experience building high-impact marketing teams in cybersecurity, SaaS, and enterprise software, Wendy Yale is a powerhouse fractional CMO. Her strategic acumen is matched by her ability to build and mentor marketing orgs that deliver results.
Why She Stands Out:
- Deep experience in B2B SaaS, cybersecurity, and tech infrastructure
- Former executive at top-tier companies including Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks
- Combines brand strategy, demand generation, and analyst relations with team development
Wendy is ideal for companies entering competitive B2B spaces that need a sharp go-to-market plan and enterprise-grade marketing leadership.
Paul Friesen
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pfriesen/
A former startup operator and global marketing leader, Paul Friesen brings a performance-focused approach to his work as a fractional CMO. His specialty lies in bridging the gap between product vision and revenue growth, particularly for technical and B2B-driven organizations.
Why He Stands Out:
- Background in growth marketing, brand development, and go-to-market execution
- Works with seed to Series C startups in SaaS, fintech, and AI
- Known for building repeatable marketing systems and aligning sales and marketing goals
Paul is a strong fit for founders looking for a fractional CMO who speaks both code and campaign.
Jeffrey Goldsmith
https://www.linkedin.com/in/interim-cmo/
Jeffrey Goldsmith is a marketing strategist with a reputation for driving both creative vision and data-driven outcomes. With experience spanning early-stage startups to mature tech companies, he excels at guiding founders and product teams through marketing transformation.
Why He Stands Out:
- Skilled at positioning, messaging, and full-funnel growth
- Comfortable leading cross-functional marketing orgs and interim teams
- Experience across hardware, software, and platform brands
Jeffrey is ideal for companies looking to elevate their brand while staying focused on measurable traction.
Skylar Allen Frederick
Skylar Allen Frederick is a modern-day brand architect with a talent for storytelling and growth strategy. Her work as a fractional CMO focuses on helping consumer brands, DTC startups, and lifestyle ventures scale with intention and personality.
Why She Stands Out:
- Founder of her own brand consultancy, serving clients in retail, health, and beauty
- Combines copywriting, creative direction, and lifecycle marketing
- Builds cohesive brand identities and omni-channel experiences
Skylar is the right partner for consumer brands ready to find their voice and share it at scale.
Simon Fleming-Wood
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sflemingwood/
A Silicon Valley veteran, Simon Fleming-Wood brings decades of experience in tech, media, and product marketing to his work as a fractional CMO. From GoPro to Pandora, his leadership has helped iconic brands scale and stay relevant in fast-moving markets.
Why He Stands Out:
- Former CMO at GoPro, with leadership roles at RealNetworks, Palm, and Pandora
- Known for brand storytelling, content marketing, and cross-channel strategy
- Passionate about bridging brand and business strategy
Simon is ideal for companies ready to take their brand story global—and operationalize it for long-term growth.
Why San Francisco Is Fertile Ground for Fractional Leadership
San Francisco’s innovation culture is fueled by speed, iteration, and high expectations. While visionary founders and technical teams often lead the charge, they rely on seasoned marketing partners to shape how their products are understood, adopted, and loved.
Fractional CMOs make sense in the Bay Area because:
- Startups need executive insight, but not always on a full-time basis
- The pace of growth demands strategic clarity and nimble execution
- Funded companies often scale faster than internal teams can grow
- Founders want CMOs who are collaborators, not just operators
And because fractional leaders can flex across industries and business models, they offer just-in-time expertise that helps founders avoid missteps and scale faster.
How Digital Reference Supports Fractional Leaders
At Digital Reference, we’re helping professionals build portable, reputation-driven portfolios that show the real story behind their careers. Our tools empower fractional executives to:
- Collect verified client testimonials and project outcomes
- Showcase strategic contributions across industries
- Build authentic professional visibility rooted in real work
We believe the future of hiring—and of professional credibility—will be built on structured transparency. And for fractional CMOs, whose work often spans industries, clients, and formats, that kind of visibility is mission-critical.
Final Thoughts: San Francisco’s CMOs Are Shaping What’s Next
From early-stage consumer brands to growth-phase SaaS companies, the Fractional CMOs of San Francisco are redefining what it means to lead. They are builders, operators, coaches, and creatives. They join teams in moments of inflection—and help steer the ship with clarity and confidence.
If you’re a founder looking to go further, faster—or a marketing leader looking to showcase your impact—start with Digital Reference. The providers listed above represent some of the most credible and forward-thinking marketing leaders in India today. This guide is one of many that we've put together to help you hire the right professional for your needs. Below are a few other helpful guides from Digital Reference:
- Local City Directories of Fractional CMOs
- Learn more about the broader sphere of marketing professionals
- Need an in house-leader? Explore our deep dive of marketing executives
- Deciding between an outsourced CMO and a fractional CMO
Explore Our Global & National Fractional CMO Services Directories
Start here if you're looking for a broad list of vetted agencies and platforms offering fractional CMO services across regions:
Fractional CMO Services in the USA
The U.S. has one of the most developed markets for fractional CMOs, particularly in tech, SaaS, and DTC. With access to world-class operators who’ve led growth at scale, hiring from the U.S. means deep specialization and a high standard for strategic leadership—even on a part-time basis.
Fractional CMO Services in the United Kingdom
UK-based CMOs bring a global sensibility with strong roots in brand-building, storytelling, and demand gen. Whether you're scaling in EMEA or need a transatlantic marketing partner, hiring from the UK often means balancing creativity with commercial acumen.
Fractional CMO Services in Canada
Canada’s marketing consultants offer a unique blend of U.S.-adjacent market knowledge and European-influenced brand thinking. CMOs from Canada are often adept at cross-border strategy, digital-first execution, and cost-effective scaling for both startups and nonprofits.
Fractional CMO Services in Australia
Australia is home to a rapidly growing fractional talent ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on lean growth, ecommerce, and APAC expansion strategy. CMOs here often bring a scrappy, startup-savvy approach—ideal for early-stage or global-minded teams.
Fractional CMO Services in the United Arab Emirates
Hiring a fractional CMO from the UAE gives you access to multilingual, multi-market strategists who understand high-growth sectors like fintech, hospitality, and real estate. With experience operating across MENA and beyond, UAE-based leaders are often skilled in both regional
Fractional CMO Services in India
nuance and global brand building.
India’s fractional CMOs are known for blending strategic marketing with operational efficiency. Many bring deep experience in tech, SaaS, and outsourcing models—and are especially skilled at scaling customer acquisition and digital strategy on tight budgets.
These lists feature curated selections of leading firms and consultants offering fractional and part-time CMO services, often categorized by industry focus, engagement style, and executive depth.
Check Out Our Local Fractional, Part-Time, and Virtual CMO Talent by City
We’ve curated regional directories so you can find fractional CMOs near you—whether you want someone who understands your local market or you’re building an in-person team.
Ann Arbor Fractional CMO Services
Ann Arbor’s tight-knit business ecosystem and university-adjacent innovation make it a great place to find CMOs who blend intellectual rigor with grassroots marketing strategy. Expect data-driven marketers with strong startup and research-sector experience.
Austin Fractional CMO Services
Austin’s creative-meets-tech energy fuels a vibrant pool of fractional CMOs who thrive in fast-moving environments. Many bring experience across SaaS, lifestyle brands, and B2B marketplaces—perfect for startups with a story to tell and scale.
Boston Fractional CMO Services
Boston fractional CMOs often bring deep experience in healthtech, edtech, and B2B enterprise marketing. With a strong talent pipeline from local universities and innovation districts, these leaders pair analytical strength with strategic polish.
Chicago Fractional CMO Services
Chicago’s CMOs are pros at navigating between scrappy and structured. You’ll find leaders here who know how to scale growth functions for midmarket companies and bring calm to complex go-to-market systems.
Dallas Fractional CMO Services
With a strong presence in healthcare, real estate, and professional services, Dallas-based CMOs often bring industry-specific insights and relationship-first marketing chops—plus the ability to scale regionally and nationally.
Detroit Fractional CMO Services
Detroit is more than automotive—its CMOs are experts in industrial storytelling, brand turnarounds, and community-driven campaigns. Expect leaders who can balance legacy with innovation in highly competitive markets.
Los Angeles Fractional CMO Services
LA-based CMOs bring a strong blend of entertainment, DTC, and brand-forward experience. Whether you’re building a lifestyle brand or scaling a content-first product, these marketers know how to make it resonate—and convert.
New York City Fractional CMO Services
New York’s marketing leaders are built for speed, scale, and big vision. Hiring a fractional CMO here means access to world-class brand architects, revenue ops pros, and category definers who move quickly and deliver results.
Phoenix Fractional CMO Services
Phoenix is emerging as a hub for cost-efficient growth, and its CMOs are leading the charge. You’ll find leaders with expertise in real estate, healthcare, and service-based businesses—great for companies expanding in the Southwest.
San Diego Fractional CMO Services
San Diego fractional CMOs often come with deep domain knowledge in biotech, healthtech, and mission-driven startups. Their approach combines high-level marketing strategy with a clear understanding of regulatory and clinical nuances.
Tampa Fractional CMO Services
Tampa is quickly becoming a go-to market for tech and remote-first startups. CMOs here bring the ability to build growth foundations from the ground up, often for businesses transitioning out of the founder-led phase.
Washington, D.C. Fractional CMO Services
DC’s fractional CMOs stand out for their strategic messaging, policy awareness, and nonprofit expertise. They’re trusted by think tanks, advocacy orgs, and mission-led startups that need to tell complex stories with clarity and credibility.
Together, they represent the next generation of flexible, strategic, and deeply human marketing leadership.
– The Digital Reference Team
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