Best Fractional Chief Executive Officer Services in the United States

USA Outsourced Chief Executive Officer Agencies

Looking for the best fractional CEO services in the United States? We’ve done the heavy lifting for you. This guide features standout agencies and professionals delivering fractional, part-time, and virtual CEO leadership to companies that need executive excellence without a full-time commitment. These firms aren’t just placeholders, they're catalysts, ready to guide startups, PE-backed companies, and scaling operations through transformation, growth, or turnaround with sharp strategic insight and seasoned execution.

Whether you're navigating post-seed scaling, founder transition, or major market shifts, these providers bring the leadership muscle without the W2. From high-growth SaaS to complex industrial rollups, these executives step into the C-suite with clarity, authority, and a get-it-done mindset.

How We Selected These Fractional & Outsourced CEO Providers

Our selection is research-driven, client-reviewed, and grounded in US-based firms with real operational impact. We looked at:

• 🚀 Documented outcomes with early to mid-stage or PE-backed companies
• 🧠 Unique frameworks or go-to-market strategies
• 🗣️ Radical authenticity and transparency in leadership philosophy
• 🧩 Team structure or talent bench strength
• 🔍 Founder or executive presence, credibility, and expertise (via LinkedIn + company bios)
  
  

Each provider spotlight below includes a link to their website and a direct LinkedIn profile for their founder/CEO so you can assess for yourself.

Let’s dive in. 

Fractional, Virtual, & Outsourced CEOs Based in the USA 🔦 Provider Spotlights

MentorCruise

🔗 Website: https://mentorcruise.com

What they do:
MentorCruise is a talent platform connecting startup founders and teams with experienced operators including fractional CEOs, CTOs, and growth leaders. With roots in mentorship, they’ve expanded into an on-demand executive layer for fast-growing tech companies.

Who they work with:
Early-stage startups, solopreneurs, and venture-backed SaaS businesses looking for low-friction executive advice or interim leadership.

Operating model:
Clients browse pre-vetted leaders, book short or long-term engagements, and communicate directly with their fractional exec with no agency overhead.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Scales with client needs: from weekly strategy calls to multi-month CEO mandates
• Tech-native platform with 1000+ vetted execs across functions
• Built around radical transparency with reviews, pricing, and experience listed upfront
  
  

Dominic Monn, Founder, MentorCruise

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmonn/?originalSubdomain=ch

Dominic is a Swiss engineer-turned-entrepreneur with a background in product and machine learning. He built MentorCruise out of a personal need for better career coaching and scaled it into a multi-functional executive marketplace. Known for his clarity and product-first leadership style, Dominic often speaks about democratizing executive access, especially for underrepresented and early-career founders.

The Boutique COO

🔗 Website: https://www.theboutiquecoo.com

What they do:
The Boutique COO offers fractional CEO, COO, and strategy services to mission-led companies and nonprofits. They emphasize operational clarity, brand alignment, and conscious leadership.

Who they work with:
Boutique agencies, creative studios, nonprofits, and values-driven founders across the US.

Operating model:
Short and long-term engagements with strategic planning, people ops, and accountability baked into the rhythm.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Intersection of operational efficiency + people-first culture
• Specializes in founder transitions and leadership offboarding
• Emphasis on values-aligned leadership, not just performance metrics
  
  

Makena Finger Zannini, Founder, The Boutique COO

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makena-finger-zannini-7291981b0

Makena brings an operations and HR background, having supported purpose-driven organizations through scaling pains and leadership changes. Her calm, structured approach is informed by both operational best practices and trauma-informed coaching. She’s frequently sought after for her clarity in chaotic founder-led orgs.

Z3 Impact

🔗 Website: https://www.z3impact.com

What they do:
Z3 Impact is a boutique firm delivering interim and fractional CEO services with a focus on strategy, financial turnaround, and board management.

Who they work with:
Private equity portfolios, distressed assets, and scaling businesses looking for a disciplined operational leader.

Operating model:
Patrick leads most engagements directly clients hire him for 3–12 month CEO tenures.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Deep experience in crisis leadership and corporate turnarounds
• Works closely with PE firms on underperforming portfolio assets
• Direct, no-fluff communication style radical authenticity in action
  
  

Patrick Zachary, Founder, Z3 Impact

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickwzachary

Patrick’s background spans Fortune 500 turnarounds, nonprofit boards, and early-stage startups. He’s a hands-on leader, not afraid to make tough calls. On LinkedIn, he shares practical advice on operational planning, board dynamics, and leadership under pressure.

10x.Team

🔗 Website: https://10x.team

What they do:
10x.Team helps startups and scaleups hire executive-level fractional talent across leadership, growth, and tech. They emphasize global remote talent and speed-to-execution.

Who they work with:
Tech startups, fintech firms, and digital-first companies scaling quickly or entering new markets.

Operating model:
Plug-and-play model for execs clients select vetted leaders and engage on a rolling basis.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Female-founded, global-first leadership bench
• Supports scale-ups needing both strategic oversight and execution
• Angelique’s personal track record in fintech innovation adds credibility
  
  

Angelique Schouten, CEO, 10x.Team

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeliqueschouten

Angelique is a serial fintech founder and author, known for her ability to bridge operational chaos with structured leadership. She’s led multiple international ventures and frequently advises on fractional executive models in SaaS and Web3 ecosystems.

Interim Executives

🔗 Website: https://interimexecs.com

What they do:
A veteran agency connecting clients to Red Team Leaders—pre-screened interim CEOs and executives ready for high-stakes leadership.

Who they work with:
Private equity, family-owned businesses, and corporations undergoing transformation.

Operating model:
Execs are vetted through a proprietary ranking system. Clients are matched based on leadership needs and industry fit.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Red Team model prioritizes urgency and readiness
• Nationwide network of execs with cross-sector experience
• Transparent matching system based on leadership traits
  
  

Robert Jordan, CEO, Interim Executives

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjjordan

Robert is the co-author of Right Leader, Right Time and a pioneer in the interim executive space. He’s built a structured system to match execs with companies in moments of disruption or reinvention. Known for his “ready-now” leadership philosophy, he blends speed with strategic rigor.

Cerius Executives

🔗 Website: https://ceriusexecutives.com

What they do:
Cerius specializes in interim and fractional C-suite placements, including CEO, COO, and CFO roles. They’ve placed over 2,000 execs.

Who they work with:
Middle-market companies, PE-backed firms, and leadership-challenged businesses.

Operating model:
Structured vetting, fast placement, and optional engagement support.

💡 Why they stand out:

• One of the largest US-based executive match firms
• Deep bench across functions and industries
  20+ years of case studies to prove ROI
  
  

Pamela Wasley, Co-Founder, Cerius Executives

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-wasley-135645

Pamela is a long-time leader in executive staffing, often speaking on future-of-work trends and interim leadership. Her style blends pragmatism with people-first philosophy. Under her leadership, Cerius has grown into a trusted name for operational gaps and transitions.

Your Cohort

🔗 Website: https://www.yourcohort.co/

What they do:
Your Cohort provides fractional executive leadership with a specialty in remote operations, EX (employee experience), and CX (customer experience). They guide businesses through building scalable, human-centered operations often stepping in as fractional CEOs or COOs for remote-first companies.

Who they work with:
Global startups, remote-first organizations, and scaling digital service companies.

Operating model:
Tailored fractional leadership engagements focused on people systems, global operations, and executive coaching for founders.

💡 Why they stand out:

• Deep expertise in remote work infrastructure and scaling global teams
• Integrates EX/CX principles into executive decision-making
• Anne’s personal background in remote transformation is unmatched
  
  

Anne Bibb, Founder, Your Cohort

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annebibb/

Anne Bibb is a recognized thought leader in remote work strategy and employee experience transformation. With past leadership roles at SupportNinja and numerous global orgs, Anne brings a rare mix of operational depth and empathy-first leadership. She regularly speaks on the future of work and is known for helping founders build sustainable, values-aligned growth models especially in distributed teams.

In Closing: Radical Leadership on Your Terms

In a world where founders wear too many hats and board expectations keep climbing, fractional CEOs offer clarity without complexity. These leaders provide focused, high-impact guidance whether you need a steady hand for a growth phase or a decisive force for a turnaround.

At Digital Reference, we champion those who lead with radical authenticity, not just impressive credentials. That’s why we spotlight the humans behind the titles. Real leadership is personal, not polished. If you’re hiring a fractional executive, don’t settle for a static profile make sure you’re seeing the person behind the pitch.

Because when leadership gets real, business moves forward.