Marketing Professionals: Insights & Resources

Fractional CMOs in Washington DC Making Things Happen

Ryan Stevens
June 25, 2025
All Insights
Marketing Professionals: Insights & Resources

Fractional CMOs in Washington DC Making Things Happen in 2025

DC & DMV Interim Chief Marketing Officers to Know

Washington DC isn’t just a political capital—it’s a marketing capital. In the heart of the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia), organizations are doing everything from shaping public opinion to launching SaaS startups and scaling purpose-driven brands. Behind many of these efforts are fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs)—seasoned professionals who bring strategic firepower, leadership, and flexibility to the teams they serve.

At Digital Reference, we believe in showcasing professionals more authentically. That means surfacing the voices and verified impact of those shaping the ecosystem in ways that often go unseen. Fractional CMOs embody this kind of behind-the-scenes leadership. They help companies clarify their story, scale their visibility, and align marketing with mission—all without the commitment of a full-time hire.

This blog is a curated spotlight on the interim and fractional marketing executives shaping the DC and DMV marketing landscape.

Our Methodology - DC Fractional CMO Services

To build this list, we conducted independent research and applied the following criteria:

  • Location: Based in the District of Columbia or surrounding regions, including Maryland and Northern Virginia
  • Service Model: Offering fractional, part-time, or interim CMO services either independently or through boutique firms
  • Track Record: Demonstrated marketing leadership, client outcomes, or startup traction
  • Professional Transparency: Active digital footprint (website, LinkedIn, or published casework)
  • Digital Reference Alignment: Commitment to transparent, outcome-driven work that puts reputation and results first

These leaders don’t just offer strategy—they offer transformation. Let’s meet the professionals making things happen.

Meet the Fractional CMO Service Providers in DC & the DMV

Katie Hollar

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiehollar/

As a data-driven marketing leader, Katie Hollar specializes in helping SaaS and tech companies scale sustainably. She provides fractional CMO services that align brand, product marketing, and sales.

Why She Stands Out:

  • Background includes roles in VC-backed startups and high-growth SaaS
  • Known for growth playbooks, product launches, and conversion strategy
  • Empowers founders to prioritize what actually moves the needle

Katie is a fractional partner for teams that want smart marketing decisions, not just more noise.

Layla Nielsen

https://laylanielsen.com/

Founder of Nielsen Marketing Consulting, Layla Nielsen is a seasoned brand and digital marketing strategist with a deep background in scaling early-stage companies. Her work is grounded in empathy, creativity, and a results-first mindset.

Why She Stands Out:

  • Expert in positioning, go-to-market strategy, and brand storytelling
  • Works with mission-led companies, startups, and agencies
  • Emphasizes intentional growth through marketing clarity and smart systems

Layla brings structure to chaos. She helps teams move from scattered tactics to a unified marketing engine.

Fadzai Nhamburo

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fadzai/

With experience in strategic communications, corporate affairs, and executive branding, Fadzai Nhamburo is a trusted marketing advisor to leaders navigating change. Her fractional CMO work often involves aligning internal and external narratives during key transitions.

Why She Stands Out:

  • Strong background in B2B, public affairs, and communications strategy
  • Works across sectors: tech, finance, government, and non-profits
  • Passionate about inclusive messaging and stakeholder alignment

Fadzai is the right fit for organizations seeking to build reputation, resilience, and reach.

Katia Billeci

https://myleadstrategy.com

As founder of MyLeadStrategy, Katia Billeci brings a performance-driven approach to fractional CMO services. With a laser focus on growth and demand generation, she helps early-stage and scaling companies turn marketing into measurable momentum.

Why She Stands Out:

  • Specializes in lead generation, funnel optimization, and sales alignment
  • Deep experience with SaaS, B2B, and growth-stage ventures
  • Focused on outcomes, not just activity

Katia builds systems that turn marketing from a cost center into a growth driver.

Jennifer Dodson

https://www.adashmorecreative.com/fractional-cmo-services/

Through her firm Adashmore Creative, Jennifer Dodson provides fractional CMO leadership that balances brand strategy with executional excellence. Her portfolio includes regional nonprofits, public agencies, and purpose-driven enterprises.

Why She Stands Out:

  • Combines creative agency experience with strategic leadership
  • Skilled in rebranding, campaign development, and content strategy
  • Passionate about helping small teams scale their impact

Jennifer is perfect for organizations that need vision, voice, and velocity.

Jolene Wiggins

https://jolenewiggins.com/

A marketer and culture-builder, Jolene Wiggins leads with empathy and enterprise-level experience. She’s worked across education, tech, and healthcare—bringing storytelling, structure, and heart to every engagement.

Why She Stands Out:

  • Former CMO and marketing leader at impact organizations and startups
  • Deep expertise in internal comms, customer engagement, and change marketing
  • Committed to building inclusive brands with emotional intelligence

Jolene helps brands speak with integrity and scale with intention.

Lindsay R. Weis

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsayrweis/

A marketing strategist with deep roots in media, healthcare, and association leadership, Lindsay Weis brings calm clarity to organizations navigating digital transformation. Her fractional CMO work includes both strategic leadership and hands-on execution.

Why She Stands Out:

  • Background in integrated marketing, brand positioning, and internal alignment
  • Trusted by executive teams to lead during periods of organizational change
  • Combines creative intuition with process and planning rigor

Lindsay helps teams translate mission into messaging that gets noticed.

Bruce Lovett

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruceelovett/

A veteran marketing executive, Bruce Lovett has led global campaigns, brand repositionings, and full-stack marketing operations. Now offering fractional CMO services, he works with mid-market companies ready to level up their marketing maturity.

Why He Stands Out:

  • Experience across B2B, B2C, government, and nonprofit sectors
  • Skilled at building marketing functions that scale with revenue
  • Brings boardroom presence and operational excellence to every client

Bruce is a strong partner for teams that want strategic vision with measurable performance.

Why DC and the DMV Are Ideal for Fractional Marketing Leadership

The DMV is home to some of the most complex and mission-driven organizations in the country. From federal contractors to education innovators, and associations to SaaS startups, the region thrives on clarity, credibility, and capability.

Fractional CMOs are increasingly in demand here because:

  • Many organizations are resource-constrained but growth-minded
  • Executive teams want flexibility without compromising quality
  • Founders and CEOs are looking for trusted thought partners with marketing fluency
  • The pace of policy, innovation, and public sentiment requires adaptive leadership

These fractional CMOs step in during moments of inflection—whether it's a brand refresh, a funding round, a pivot, or a leadership change—and help teams move forward with confidence.

Digital Reference: A Platform for Authentic Professional Stories

At Digital Reference, we’re building a system that rewards real-world impact, not just impressive resumes. Fractional professionals like those featured in this list benefit from tools that:

  • Capture client-verified references and performance outcomes
  • Build portable, structured professional narratives
  • Highlight trust, results, and reputation

We’re here to help professionals showcase their work—not just their titles.

In a world where work is increasingly independent, flexible, and portfolio-driven, platforms like Digital Reference are helping to make the invisible, visible.

Final Thoughts: DC's Marketing Future is Fractional

From nonprofit campaigns to enterprise rebrands, the fractional CMOs of Washington DC and the DMV are helping organizations build bridges between vision and execution.

They are mentors, architects, collaborators, and builders. They don't just lead—they make things happen. 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:

If you're a founder, executive, or team leader looking to grow, align, or reposition—this list is your starting point. If you're a fractional CMO looking to showcase your work, Digital Reference is your next step.

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.

San Francisco Fractional CMO Services

In SF, CMOs are operators as much as storytellers. You’ll find talent with experience in VC-backed startups, PLG models, and growth experimentation—ideal for companies scaling in competitive or saturated markets.

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.

Let’s keep building a talent ecosystem that values what professionals actually do—not just what they say they do.

– The Digital Reference Team

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