Hiring a full-time Chief Marketing Officer can be expensive, especially for startups or small businesses. That’s where fractional CMOs come in. They’re experienced marketing leaders you can bring in part-time to help grow your brand without the full-time cost. In a competitive market like San Francisco, finding the right fractional CMO could be the smartest move for your business.
What is a Fractional CMO?
A fractional CMO is a part-time Chief Marketing Officer who helps businesses build and lead their marketing strategy without being on staff full-time. Think of it like renting a highly experienced marketing leader for just the time you need.
Instead of hiring someone full-time (which can cost a lot in salary and benefits), you get expert-level marketing guidance on a flexible basis. That might be a few days a week, a few hours a month, or just for a specific project.
Fractional CMOs often work with startups, small to mid-sized businesses, or companies going through a big change – like launching a new product, entering a new market, or needing a growth reset. They bring the kind of big-picture thinking you’d expect from someone who’s led teams at large companies, but they know how to move fast and make things happen at smaller ones too.
In short, they help you:
- Build a clear marketing strategy
- Align marketing with business goals
- Lead internal or external marketing teams
- Optimize digital, content, and brand campaigns
- Drive real growth without long-term overhead
Whether you’re launching, scaling, or just need sharper direction, a fractional CMO can give your business the leadership it needs – without the full-time price tag.
NUOPTIMA’s C-Suite Connect: Fractional CMOs for San Francisco Growth
NUOPTIMA’s C-Suite Connect, founded by Alexej Pikovsky, transforms marketing leadership for San Francisco’s fast-paced businesses by providing access to pre-vetted, fractional CMOs who deliver results through strategy, creativity, and data-backed execution. Specializing in founder-led companies, our CMOs are hand-picked through a rigorous selection process led personally by Alexej, ensuring only elite marketing leaders join our network.
Our selection criteria include:
- Background check: Confirming a proven history of successful marketing leadership.
- Strategic assessment: Testing for depth in brand positioning, growth strategy, and channel selection.
- Reference calls: Verifying real-world impact and long-term value creation.
- Culture fit interview: Ensuring alignment with your company’s mission and leadership style.
- Paid trial sprint: Allowing you to see results in action before committing long-term.
What Makes NUOPTIMA C-Suite Connect Different:
- Strategy + Execution: Our CMOs bring both high-level planning and hands-on leadership.
- San Francisco Expertise: Deep understanding of the Bay Area’s tech-driven and innovation-first business culture.
- Rapid Matching: Get paired with a tailored fractional CMO in as little as 7 to 10 days.
- Founder-Aligned Approach: Every placement is personally reviewed by Alexej to ensure strategic and cultural fit.
With C-Suite Connect, NUOPTIMA empowers San Francisco companies to sharpen their marketing strategy, accelerate growth, and scale efficiently – all while integrating seamlessly with our performance-driven marketing solutions.
Top Fractional CMOs for San Francisco
1. Bryan Rodrigues
Bryan Rodrigues is a seasoned fractional CMO with a powerful blend of corporate leadership and startup agility. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Bryan brings over two decades of full-stack marketing experience across iconic brands and fast-growing tech companies. His career includes leadership roles at Tile, Nike, Anova Culinary, and Livescribe, showcasing his expertise in consumer electronics, SaaS, e-commerce, and subscription-based models.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Bryan has held multiple VP and CMO roles where he led global marketing efforts, doubled brand awareness, and drove multimillion-unit sales through a combination of strategy, storytelling, and data. Notably at Tile, he launched award-winning campaigns and established category dominance in Bluetooth tracking. At Livescribe and Anova, he steered GTM execution, product marketing, CRM, digital campaigns, and e-commerce growth.
Key achievements include:
- Leading 10+ hardware product launches across retail and digital channels
- Growing subscription revenue through premium services at Tile
- Driving a 3x return on ad spend and reducing CPA through optimized customer acquisition
- Transforming brand identities to connect with new audience segments
Areas of Expertise
- Brand Positioning & Category Leadership
- Omnichannel Strategy (Retail, D2C, Amazon)
- Growth Marketing & Demand Generation
- Product Marketing & New Product Introduction
- Data-Driven Performance Campaigns
- PR, Content, Social & Influencer Strategy
- E-Commerce Management and Optimization
How He Works with San Francisco Companies
As founder of 621 Consulting, Bryan partners with B2B and B2C startups, often in the tech, SaaS, and consumer innovation spaces. His approach balances strategic vision with hands-on execution. Whether advising a computer vision startup on go-to-market or reworking pricing and packaging for a digital product, Bryan adapts quickly to each company’s stage, team, and market demands.
Startups and scale-ups in the Bay Area benefit from his ability to quickly identify growth levers, craft resonant messaging, and execute integrated campaigns that move the needle. He thrives in founder-led environments and collaborates cross-functionally to ensure marketing aligns tightly with business goals.
Education & Mentorship
Bryan holds an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and a BComm in Marketing from The University of British Columbia. He also gives back to the startup community as an advisor at Berkeley SkyDeck, where he mentors early-stage companies on storytelling, positioning, and go-to-market strategy.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanerodrigues
2. Brenda van Camp-Elmes
Brenda van Camp-Elmes is a highly accomplished fractional CMO with over 20 years of global marketing leadership. Based in San Francisco, Brenda has led strategic initiatives for organizations ranging from early-stage startups to international corporations with revenues exceeding $6 billion. Her approach combines analytical precision with creative thinking, enabling companies to build strong brands, scale demand generation, and unlock new market opportunities.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Brenda has served as Chief Marketing Officer and executive advisor across sectors including SaaS, e-commerce, edtech, publishing, and luxury goods. Her background includes pivotal leadership roles at Christie’s, Blurb, Upwardley, and now as a sought-after fractional CMO. She has developed and executed marketing strategies across Europe and North America, overseeing everything from full brand transformations to multi-market GTM launches.
Key achievements include:
- Leading international marketing for Christie’s with a £50 million annual budget and a 55-person global team
- Scaling an edtech SaaS startup from the ground up as CMO and Co-Founder of Upwardley
- Launching Blurb’s marketing strategy across nine global markets, combining content, partnerships, and digital channels
- Advising public and private companies on brand positioning, performance marketing, and digital transformation
Areas of Expertise
- Go-to-Market Strategy & Launch Marketing
- Brand Positioning & Storytelling
- Digital Marketing, CRM & Analytics
- Global Communications & Thought Leadership
- Sales Enablement & Channel Strategy
- Multi-Channel Demand Generation
- Product and Solutions Marketing
- Marketing Automation & Mobile Campaigns
How She Works with San Francisco Companies
Brenda works with companies across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, offering strategic marketing guidance tailored to each stage of growth. She is especially effective with founder-led startups, mid-market tech firms, and business units within larger enterprises. Brenda quickly assesses gaps, builds data-driven strategies, and delivers scalable marketing systems.
Her collaborative approach ensures alignment between executive teams, marketing functions, and sales. She is known for building high-performing teams and delivering measurable business results, even in highly dynamic or global environments.
Education & Thought Leadership
Brenda holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Economics from the University of Amsterdam and completed an Executive Leadership Program at INSEAD. She is also a published author and frequent contributor to discussions around the value of fractional executive leadership, especially in high-growth environments.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-van-camp-elmes-2b5518
3. Gabrielle Tenaglia
Gabrielle Tenaglia is a seasoned fractional CMO with over 25 years of marketing leadership experience spanning digital health, fintech, B2B SaaS, sustainability, and brand strategy. Based in San Francisco, Gabrielle is known for her ability to scale high-growth startups, guide unicorns through critical transitions, and build creative strategies that drive real business outcomes. Her client list includes both mission-driven startups and category-defining brands.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Gabrielle has led marketing at some of the Bay Area’s most innovative companies. As VP of Brand and Product Marketing at Omada Health, she played a key role in scaling a leading chronic care platform and integrating the acquisition of Physera. At Globality, she brought AI-powered procurement solutions to market. Her earlier career in top creative agencies (215 McCann, Venables Bell & Partners) gave her the foundation for building world-class brand campaigns for companies like Xbox, Audi, and Intel.
Today, Gabrielle leads marketing at Lettuce Financial Labs, helping solo businesses simplify accounting and taxes. She also consults and advises startups like Frame Fertility, Meru Health, and 20Fund, bringing go-to-market clarity to purpose-led ventures.
Key achievements include:
- Launching marketing programs that supported funding rounds and acquisitions
- Building full-scale marketing functions for seed to Series C companies
- Creating award-winning brand and advertising campaigns recognized at Cannes Lions
- Leading cross-functional teams through product launches, GTM pivots, and market expansion
Areas of Expertise
- Brand Positioning & Messaging
- Product Marketing & GTM Strategy
- B2B and B2C Growth Marketing
- Digital Health, Femtech & SaaS
- Performance Marketing & Analytics
- Content & Campaign Strategy
- Customer Insights & Research
- Creative Leadership & Team Building
How She Works with San Francisco Companies
Gabrielle thrives in dynamic, high-growth environments where brand and strategy must evolve fast. Whether working with healthtech, fintech, or social impact startups, she brings clarity, process, and energy to marketing leadership. She builds tailored teams, uncovers customer insights, and ensures brand positioning aligns with product and market needs.
Her work is grounded in collaboration – often partnering directly with founders, product leaders, and investors to guide companies through critical inflection points. With strong Bay Area roots and an eye for early-stage innovation, she delivers strategy with both empathy and edge.
Education & Thought Leadership
Gabrielle olds a B.A. in American Culture and Women’s Studies from Vassar College, and an M.A. in American History from UC Berkeley. She’s an active speaker and contributor to marketing and leadership forums, including the Product Marketing Alliance and Cannes Lions. Outside of work, she chairs the Marketing Committee at La Scuola Internazionale di San Francisco and leads Wolfpack, a professional network supporting women in leadership.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielletenaglia
4. Leah Francis
Leah Francis is a forward-thinking fractional CMO and growth strategist known for helping early-stage startups accelerate brand traction and revenue. Based in San Francisco, Leah blends behavioral economics with modern growth strategy to drive full-funnel performance across digital, DTC, retail, and emerging platforms. Her experience spans consumer tech, wellness, healthcare, and ecommerce, making her a trusted partner for companies at the forefront of innovation.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Leah is currently Head of Growth at Mito Health (YC S24), a fast-growing longevity startup focused on preventative healthcare. There, she leads U.S. expansion and marketing for a highly personalized wellness platform, building a brand that combines diagnostics, medical insight, and technology.
As the founder of LF Growth Studio, Leah has advised dozens of high-growth startups across wellness, fashion, CPG, and healthtech. She has led go-to-market planning, launched omnichannel campaigns, and built performance marketing programs that scale profitably. Previously, Leah was Head of Growth at Postable.com, where she owned product and GTM strategy. She also served as Growth Advisor to The Absorption Company, applying data-driven strategies to launch a breakthrough health supplement brand.
Key achievements include:
- Leading growth and marketing for multiple YC-backed and venture-funded companies
- Delivering profitable DTC scale-up strategies across Amazon, TikTok, retail, and subscription
- Building custom marketing roadmaps that align with business models, CAC goals, and long-term LTV
- Successfully managing performance agencies, creative partners, and internal growth teams
Areas of Expertise
- DTC Growth Strategy & eCommerce Optimization
- Acquisition & Performance Marketing (Meta, Google, TikTok, TV, Podcast)
- Retention & Loyalty (Email, SMS, Subscription, Events)
- Product & GTM Strategy
- Influencer, Affiliate & Community Programs
- Creative Strategy for Brand and Performance
- Channel Expansion (Retail, Amazon, TikTok Shop)
- Data-Backed Conversion Optimization (CRO, A/B Testing)
How She Works with San Francisco Companies
Leah thrives in early-stage and high-velocity startup environments where speed, data, and creativity drive success. With a proven ability to partner directly with founders, she designs and executes agile marketing programs that are both scrappy and scalable. Her style is highly collaborative – bringing energy, clear communication, and deep consumer insight to every engagement.
Her work is especially impactful for brands launching new categories, testing product-market fit, or expanding into omnichannel growth. With a strong foundation in behavioral economics and brand building, Leah balances hard metrics with strategic storytelling to create lasting customer relationships.
Education & Thought Leadership
Leah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Psychology from Duke University, along with additional study in Microeconomics at The London School of Economics. She is an active mentor and volunteer, including work with Baby2Baby and leadership experience in marketing associations at Harvard Business School. Her contributions to the consumer marketing space have earned her recognition, including the 2023 Amazing Women in eCommerce award by Yotpo.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/leahfrancis1
5. Jolynn Applebaum
Jolynn Applebaum is a results-driven fractional CMO based in San Francisco, known for helping B2B SaaS and tech companies scale with precision, clarity, and speed. With decades of experience in global marketing leadership at firms like Cisco, ServiceNow, and Cision, Jolynn specializes in transforming underperforming marketing functions into integrated, revenue-generating engines. Her clients trust her to build winning strategies, guide brand transformations, and generate qualified pipeline growth at every stage of the funnel.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Jolynn is the founder of Profit Edge Strategies, a fractional CMO practice focused on B2B tech. Her structured framework takes companies through a six-phase process: Validate, Imagine, Strategize, Implement, Optimize, and Nurture. This process is designed to create sustainable marketing programs that align fully with business goals and sales outcomes.
In her career, she has led demand generation and marketing innovation at global organizations. At Cision, she built a high-performing demand generation engine responsible for 70% of PR Newswire’s lead volume. While at ServiceNow, she developed integrated global campaigns that supported over $35M in bookings for success services. Jolynn is also a recognized rebrand specialist, with experience repositioning companies during acquisitions, growth phases, and market shifts.
Key achievements include:
- Delivering scalable marketing infrastructure for fast-growing SaaS companies
- Building integrated marketing campaigns across global teams and verticals
- Launching award-winning demand gen programs that consistently exceed targets
- Leading marketing transformations for enterprise and mid-market B2B clients
Areas of Expertise
- B2B SaaS Marketing Strategy
- Pipeline Growth & Demand Generation
- Go-to-Market Planning
- Full-Funnel Campaign Execution
- Brand Positioning & Messaging
- Marketing Ops & Data-Driven Optimization
- ABM & Digital Onboarding Campaigns
- Team Development & Executive Leadership
How She Works with San Francisco Companies
Jolynn partners with B2B founders, CEOs, and revenue leaders to bring structure, data, and clarity to their marketing function. She is especially effective in early to mid-stage companies that are navigating product-market fit, expanding into new markets, or rethinking their marketing leadership.
Her approach balances strategic vision with executional detail. With deep roots in enterprise marketing, Jolynn quickly identifies inefficiencies, rebuilds marketing foundations, and launches programs that generate measurable pipeline. She’s equally comfortable serving as interim CMO or as an advisor embedding with in-house teams.
Education & Thought Leadership
Jolynn holds a B.A. in International Economics and Languages from Georgetown University and an MBA in Marketing from Loyola University Maryland. She is an active board member at WildCare San Rafael and has held roles in international human rights research and public service. Her leadership has earned her several honors, including the Cisco Pinnacle Award and the MIN Integrated Marketing Award.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jolynnapplebaum
6. Rachel Kim
Rachel Kim is a respected fractional CMO, startup advisor, and marketing executive based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the founder of Manifest Advisors, she helps early and growth-stage startups accelerate brand visibility, customer acquisition, and revenue through thoughtful and effective marketing strategies. With over 15 years of experience spanning B2B SaaS, fintech, healthcare tech, and consumer products, Rachel blends creative storytelling with operational excellence to position companies for scale.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Rachel’s career includes senior leadership roles at fast-growing startups and top-tier marketing agencies. Prior to launching her fractional practice, she served as VP of Marketing and Communications at Wonolo and Nfinite, where she led end-to-end marketing strategy, communications, PR, investor relations, and executive positioning.
As a fractional CMO at Manifest Advisors, Rachel partners with founders to build marketing functions from the ground up. Her client portfolio includes companies like January Ventures, Ledge, Mutiny, The Novelry, and Hyroad Energy, where she develops brand architecture, content strategy, and customer journey mapping that fuel business growth.
Key achievements include:
- Leading all aspects of marketing at Series A-C startups and public-facing brands
- Building marketing teams and infrastructure to support scaling customer acquisition
- Creating strong brand narratives featured in major outlets including CNN, Forbes, and Yahoo! Finance
- Delivering cross-functional strategies that align with executive and investor expectations
Areas of Expertise
- Brand Strategy & Corporate Narrative
- Full-Funnel Marketing & Customer Acquisition
- Communications, PR & Analyst Relations
- Product Marketing & Messaging
- Team Leadership & Org Design
- SaaS, Fintech, EdTech & HealthTech
- Workshop Facilitation & Executive Coaching
- Go-to-Market for Early-Stage Startups
How She Works with San Francisco Companies
Rachel works closely with founder-led teams in early to mid-stage startups that are navigating rapid growth, shifting product focus, or preparing for fundraising. Her process combines insight-driven messaging with practical execution, helping teams align around what truly drives value.
She excels at crafting holistic marketing strategies that not only attract the right customers but also strengthen internal culture and investor confidence. Whether designing inbound content engines or leading outbound campaign architecture, Rachel brings clarity, empathy, and momentum to the table.
Education & Thought Leadership
Rachel holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she graduated with honors, and a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School, also cum laude. She has been featured in major media outlets including the New York Times, CNN, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fox Business News. A frequent speaker and workshop leader, Rachel is also an advisor to January Ventures, a VC firm supporting inclusive innovation in early-stage tech.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rachelhoneth
7. Maria Jiang
Maria Jiang is a highly accomplished fractional CMO, GTM consultant, and B2B marketing strategist based in San Francisco. With over 15 years of experience in leading marketing at some of the most well-known tech companies, including Meta, Upwork, PagerDuty, and Zendesk, Maria brings unmatched expertise in helping SaaS businesses scale with clarity, speed, and precision. She founded MJ Consulting to help early-stage and high-growth companies build powerful go-to-market strategies that convert.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Maria has led marketing efforts for businesses from startup to multibillion-dollar scale. As Director of Product and Solution Marketing at Upwork, she supported a shift to product-led growth, launched new pricing models, and developed ideal customer profiles that improved sales efficiency. At Meta, she drove product marketing for business messaging across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. She also built the GTM engine for AIOps at PagerDuty, where she led a high-impact team and executed complex launch campaigns.
Key achievements include:
- Named a Top 100 Product Marketing Leader by Sharebird
- Built and scaled GTM functions across four major tech companies
- Successfully transitioned companies from sales-led to product-led growth
- Delivered measurable impact across customer acquisition, retention, and revenue
Areas of Expertise
- Product Marketing & Positioning
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Competitive & Market Analysis
- Demand Generation & Funnel Design
- B2B SaaS Growth Strategy
- Sales Enablement & GTM Operations
- Team Building & Leadership Coaching
- Org Design for Growth-Stage Startups
How She Works with San Francisco Companies
Maria is hands-on, analytical, and deeply collaborative. She is known for her ability to distill complex product features into compelling stories and to align cross-functional teams around one clear growth strategy. Whether working with seed-stage founders or public company executives, she brings a strategic mindset and a willingness to dive into the details.
Maria helps companies in the Bay Area stand out in saturated markets by focusing on stage-appropriate strategy, whether it’s defining product-market fit, refining brand messaging, or launching new revenue-driving channels. Her experience across different growth stages makes her a trusted advisor for fast-scaling teams.
Education & Thought Leadership
Maria holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, with concentrations in strategy and marketing, and a B.A. in Media Studies from the University of Virginia. She is a recognized thought leader and mentor, contributing to the Sharebird community, speaking at industry events, and advising on topics ranging from GTM planning to team structure. Fluent in Spanish and Korean, she brings a global perspective to her leadership style.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/maria-jiang
8. Stephanie Edwards
Stephanie Edwards is a seasoned fractional CMO and global marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience driving growth across Fortune 500s, mid-market firms, and high-velocity startups. Based in San Francisco, Stephanie brings sharp strategic focus and hands-on leadership to organizations navigating fast-changing markets. She currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer at MOPO, an AI startup, while also advising companies across cybersecurity, fintech, and travel technology through her independent consulting work.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Stephanie’s marketing leadership spans continents and categories. Her career includes senior roles at major global brands such as Symantec, Kaspersky Lab, and Kurant Corporation (acquired by eBay), as well as emerging tech startups. She has led integrated GTM strategy, built global marketing functions from scratch, and served as both an interim and embedded CMO for venture-backed and public sector clients.
In her current role at MOPO, Stephanie drives full-stack go-to-market efforts, including business and investor strategy, brand development, demand generation, partnerships, and customer experience.
Key achievements include:
- Building scalable GTM programs across highly regulated and complex industries
- Delivering double-digit growth through strategic team structuring and campaign execution
- Aligning cross-functional executive teams around unified brand and revenue goals
- Navigating acquisition integration and global market expansion initiatives
Areas of Expertise
- Full-Funnel B2B Marketing Strategy
- Go-to-Market Execution & Launch Planning
- Cybersecurity, Fintech & Emerging Tech
- ABM, Demand Gen & Product Marketing
- Team Restructuring & Executive Mentoring
- Strategic Partnerships & Channel Development
- Brand Architecture & Narrative Design
How She Works with San Francisco Companies
Stephanie partners with San Francisco-based startups and scale-ups that are ready to transform their marketing function into a business-driving engine. Known for being hands-on yet strategic, she works closely with founders and C-level leaders to build clear, effective GTM strategies, align marketing with business outcomes, and restructure and mentor high-potential teams.
Her ability to lead through complexity, backed by a calm and experienced voice, makes her a reliable partner during periods of rapid growth or transition. She thrives in fast-moving, multicultural environments and brings clarity and structure to any GTM challenge.
Education & Global Perspective
Stephanie holds a B.A. in Rhetoric from the University of California, Berkeley. With over a decade of international leadership experience across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., she brings a uniquely global mindset to brand building, customer engagement, and team development. A dedicated mentor and lifelong learner, she blends operational discipline with a passion for developing people and ideas that last.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieannedwards
9. Branda Lawrence
Branda Lawrence is a future-focused fractional CMO based in San Francisco, known for helping AI, Web3, and tech-forward startups craft standout brand identities and go-to-market strategies. With a unique blend of marketing, economics, and emerging tech expertise, Branda guides early-stage companies through complex challenges in positioning, growth, and audience engagement. She specializes in helping founders communicate sophisticated ideas with clarity while building systems that scale.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Branda is the CMO of brandergate*, a fractional marketing practice serving startups in AI, Web3, and fintech. She provides hands-on leadership across brand development, marketing strategy, and go-to-market execution. Her work spans multiple industries and formats, including cryptonomics consulting, decentralized platforms, and AI-powered marketing stacks.
Her ability to bridge deep technical topics with engaging messaging has made her a trusted partner for founders navigating emerging markets. She brings a highly strategic approach to brand storytelling, messaging, and market activation.
Key achievements include:
- Launching brand and GTM strategies for Web3 and AI startups
- Advising decentralized projects on positioning and tokenomics
- Supporting cross-functional teams through brand pivots and product-market alignment
- Building strong, scalable marketing operations for early-stage companies
Areas of Expertise
- AI and Web3 Marketing Strategy
- Brand Development and Storytelling
- Go-to-Market Planning for Tech Startups
- Positioning and Product Messaging
- Martech Stack Strategy and Integration
- Decentralized Economy and Cryptonomics
- Digital Brand Identity and Growth
How She Works with San Francisco Companies
Branda partners with mission-driven startups operating in some of the most innovative and disruptive areas of technology. She works closely with founders who are looking to scale quickly and need a strong, clear brand voice that cuts through the noise of a competitive market. Her clients often include AI and Web3 startups seeking refined brand clarity and strategic direction for growth.
She excels in helping companies launch technically complex products in a way that is accessible and engaging to target audiences. Branda brings structure and strategic vision without adding unnecessary complexity to the process. Whether stepping in as a fractional CMO or serving as a trusted advisor, she offers flexible support tailored to the unique needs of each team. Her collaborative and thoughtful approach has earned her a reputation as a go-to marketing leader for early-stage companies in San Francisco and beyond.
Education & Thought Leadership
Branda holds a Master’s in Marketing from UCLA and a Master of Science in Economics from Tbilisi State University. Her academic foundation fuels her ability to merge market insight with financial strategy, especially in evolving fields like Web3 and AI. She actively contributes to thought leadership in branding for decentralized platforms and emerging tech, and serves as a voice in communities advancing innovation and marketing excellence.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/branda-lawrence
10. Roland Smart
Roland Smart is a veteran marketing executive and fractional CMO based in San Francisco, with over 20 years of experience helping category-defining companies scale through innovation, storytelling, and data-driven performance. Known for his ability to combine creative vision with operational excellence, Roland helps companies navigate the intersection of brand, technology, and growth. His leadership spans enterprise marketing, startup acceleration, and Agile transformation.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Roland currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Omega Point, a leading investment intelligence platform supporting the world’s largest investment firms. He is also the co-founder and CEO of TheraHive, an online education company focused on mental health skill development. These dual roles reflect Roland’s versatility and deep-rooted belief in the power of strategic storytelling backed by measurable impact.
Throughout his career, Roland has guided marketing at high-growth tech companies including Product School, Pantheon, and Oracle (following its acquisition of Involver). His leadership has fueled significant milestones, from category creation and brand repositioning to scalable demand generation. As a pioneer of Agile marketing, Roland has helped modernize marketing teams through processes that align tightly with product development and customer experience.
Key achievements include:
- Leading global marketing during Pantheon’s hypergrowth, contributing to platform adoption and market leadership
- Driving demand generation and community marketing as VP at Oracle after the Involver acquisition
- Supporting investor-grade messaging and campaign execution at Omega Point during its scale-up phase
- Co-authoring industry standards on Agile marketing and writing the influential book The Agile Marketer (Wiley, 2016)
Areas of Expertise
- Strategic Brand Development
- B2B Growth Marketing
- Agile Marketing Transformation
- Demand Generation & Funnel Optimization
- Investment Tech & Fintech Positioning
- Content Strategy & Community Building
- Team Development & Cross-Functional Leadership
How He Works with San Francisco Companies
Roland partners with founders and executive teams to bring clarity and structure to marketing in industries where complexity is the norm. He is especially effective with companies at a scaling inflection point—those needing to sharpen their narrative, align marketing with sales and product, and execute campaigns that produce results.
Whether working with investment technology leaders or health education startups, Roland brings a clear process to every engagement. He tailors his approach to fit the company’s maturity, often balancing interim CMO leadership with internal team coaching. His experience in both large-scale enterprise and nimble startup environments allows him to offer perspective that is both strategic and actionable.
Education & Thought Leadership
Roland holds a BA in Art History from Tufts University and a BFA in Design from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. A widely recognized thought leader in Agile marketing, he is the author of The Agile Marketer: Turning Customer Experience Into Your Competitive Advantage and co-host of The Marketing Agility Podcast. He also serves on the board of Horizons National, a nonprofit supporting educational equity, and is a founding member of the Business Agility Institute.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rolandsmart
11. Nigyar Zeynalova
Nigyar Zeynalova is a seasoned fractional CMO and brand marketing executive based in San Francisco, bringing more than 15 years of experience scaling global and emerging consumer brands. With a foundation in the beauty and wellness industry, she blends strategic clarity with executional excellence to drive growth across DTC, retail, and digital channels. Her track record includes transformative leadership roles at industry icons such as Estée Lauder and Coty, as well as fast-growth roles in clean beauty, fashion, and health-focused startups.
Proven Experience in Growth and Brand Leadership
Nigyar is the founder of Spark Edit., her fractional CMO practice focused on helping consumer packaged goods companies ignite relevance, achieve market clarity, and scale sustainably. From product innovation to omnichannel brand strategy, she brings a full-stack approach to marketing that connects the dots between positioning, media, and performance.
As Vice President of Global Marketing at Juice Beauty and Andalou Naturals, she led award-winning brand expansions in the US and global markets, including South Korea, the UAE, and Latin America. Nigyar has developed go-to-market strategies that won industry awards, reactivated sales after downturns, and introduced products that earned wide acclaim from both media and distributors. Earlier, as VP Global Marketing for Estée Lauder Group and Coty Consumer Beauty, she spearheaded 127% growth across luxury fragrance and skincare brands, relaunched Adidas personal care through a Red Bull brand collaboration, and built a private label business that added $15M in incremental revenue in under two years.
Key achievements include:
- Generating a 240% increase in appointment-driven retail business through creative brand partnerships
- Developing a global GWP strategy recognized across 97 countries at the Coty Summit
- Turning around declining brand performance with YOY growth and award-winning launches
Areas of Expertise
- Beauty, Wellness & Fashion Brand Strategy
- DTC & Omnichannel Marketing
- TikTok Shop & Social Commerce
- Product Innovation & Launches
- Influencer & Affiliate Marketing
- Retail Activation & GWP Strategy
- International Brand Expansion
How She Works with San Francisco Companies
Nigyar works hand-in-hand with founders and in-house teams to create brands that resonate at the shelf, online, and across social platforms. Her approach is especially effective for early-stage CPG brands and growth-stage companies in the beauty, wellness, and fashion sectors that need experienced leadership without full-time overhead.
She brings both big-brand polish and scrappy startup creativity to the table—whether developing content for TikTok Shop, optimizing an Amazon strategy, or scaling international distribution. Clients value her energy, candor, and ability to marry storytelling with commercial results.
Education & Thought Leadership
Nigyar holds a Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Travel Services Management from IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences and has completed Stanford Continuing Studies in SEO and social media strategy. A sought-after advisor and speaker, she shares her insights regularly on LinkedIn, with thought leadership on Gen X consumers, growth marketing, and promotional strategy.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nigyar-zeynalova-a2681846
How a Fractional CMO Can Help Your SF Business Grow
San Francisco is a fast-moving, competitive place to grow a business. Whether you’re in tech, health, retail, or finance, having strong marketing leadership can make all the difference. Here’s why hiring a fractional CMO makes a lot of sense for companies in the Bay Area.
1. Cost-Effective Leadership for High-Cost Markets
Hiring a full-time CMO in San Francisco can be expensive. Salaries are high, and benefits add up fast. A fractional CMO gives you top-tier talent without the full-time price tag. You get expert-level strategy and leadership, but only pay for the time and support you actually need.
2. Access to Big-Picture Strategy
Startups and growing companies often have talented teams but lack clear direction. A fractional CMO brings experience from bigger brands and industries. They know how to build a roadmap, set goals, and get your team aligned on what matters most.
3. Scalable Support for Growing Companies
San Francisco is full of fast-scaling companies that don’t always need a full-time executive yet. A fractional CMO can step in during key growth phases – like funding rounds, product launches, or market expansion – and scale their involvement as you grow.
4. Fresh Perspective in a Crowded Market
Standing out in a crowded, competitive market like San Francisco takes more than just ads or SEO. A fractional CMO brings an outside perspective and fresh ideas. They can help reposition your brand, sharpen your message, and find new ways to reach the right audience.
5. Flexibility for Modern Teams
Many San Francisco companies are hybrid or remote-first. Fractional CMOs are used to working across time zones, teams, and tools. Whether your team is in SoMa, Oakland, or fully remote, they know how to plug in and start making an impact fast.
6. Fast Execution Without Long Hiring Cycles
Finding and onboarding a full-time executive can take months. A fractional CMO can usually jump in quickly – sometimes in just a week or two. That means you get the leadership and action you need, right when you need it.
If you’re looking to grow your business without overcommitting your budget, a fractional CMO could be the smartest hire you make this year.
How to Choose the Right Fractional CMO
Hiring a fractional CMO can be a game-changer for your business – but only if you find the right one. Here’s how to make sure you’re bringing in someone who truly fits your needs and can deliver real results.
Know Your Business Goals
Before you start looking, get clear on what you need help with. Are you trying to grow brand awareness, increase leads, improve retention, or launch a new product? Knowing your goals will help you find a CMO with the right experience and skill set.
Look for Industry Experience
While a strong marketer can adapt to different industries, it’s often a plus if they’ve worked in your space before – especially in fast-moving markets like tech, SaaS, healthcare, or e-commerce. They’ll understand your challenges faster and bring proven strategies that already work.
Ask About Their Process
A good fractional CMO should have a clear, structured approach to how they assess your current marketing, build a strategy, and get results. Ask how they usually start a new engagement and what tools or frameworks they use.
Review Their Track Record
Ask for case studies, references, or examples of past successes. Look for real results – revenue growth, improved conversion rates, brand launches, or increased customer engagement. Don’t be afraid to ask, “What kind of impact did you make?”
Make Sure They’re a Culture Fit
Even though they’re not full-time, your fractional CMO will work closely with your team. Make sure their communication style, values, and pace match your company culture. You want someone who feels like a natural extension of your leadership team.
Discuss Availability and Flexibility
Clarify how many hours per week or month they can commit to, and how they handle urgent needs. Some fractional CMOs work with multiple clients, so it’s important to know their schedule and communication expectations upfront.
Align on Budget and Terms
Fractional CMOs usually offer flexible pricing – hourly, monthly retainers, or project-based fees. Be upfront about your budget and ask what’s included in their rate. Make sure there’s alignment so you get value without surprises.
Choosing the right fractional CMO isn’t about hiring the biggest name – it’s about finding someone who understands your business, shares your vision, and knows how to drive growth with clarity and confidence.
Final Word
San Francisco remains one of the most competitive and fast-paced markets for startups and growth-stage companies. In this environment, hiring a fractional CMO offers a powerful solution for founders who need senior marketing leadership without the full-time commitment. The experts featured in this guide bring not only deep experience across tech, AI, CPG, and Web3 but also proven frameworks for building brands, scaling growth, and aligning marketing with business outcomes.
Whether you’re preparing for a major launch, rethinking your brand strategy, or seeking to build a stronger pipeline, these fractional CMOs deliver strategic clarity and executional excellence. With the right partnership, your business can accelerate growth and build a marketing foundation designed for long-term success.
FAQ
A company should consider a fractional CMO when internal marketing lacks direction, when there’s a need to scale quickly, or when undergoing transitions such as funding rounds, rebrands, or product launches. It’s also an ideal solution during gaps in leadership or while building an in-house team.
Industries that benefit the most include B2B SaaS, consumer tech, fintech, AI, Web3, and CPG. However, any business facing complex marketing challenges or rapid growth can gain value from a fractional CMO’s strategic input.
The cost varies depending on experience, scope, and time commitment. Some CMOs work on a retainer basis, while others bill hourly or per project. Most early to mid-stage companies invest in monthly engagements that deliver both strategic planning and hands-on execution.
Engagements can range from a few months to over a year. Many companies start with a three to six-month commitment to assess impact and fit. Some continue on an ongoing advisory basis, while others bring the fractional CMO in for specific milestones or initiatives.
