In the MedTech world, things move fast. There’s constant pressure to innovate, meet regulations, and grow your presence in a competitive space. Building a full-time marketing leadership team isn’t always practical or necessary. That’s where a fractional CMO can make a real difference. In this article, we’ll explain what a fractional CMO is, why this model works so well for MedTech, how to choose the right one, and share a list of top CMOs you can consider for your company.
What is a Fractional CMO?
A fractional CMO is a senior marketing expert who works with your company part-time or on a flexible basis. They bring the skills and experience of a full-time Chief Marketing Officer, but without the full-time commitment or cost.
Think of it like having a seasoned marketing leader in your corner, but only when you need them. They might work a few days a week, a set number of hours each month, or on a project-by-project basis. This gives you access to high-level strategy, planning, and execution without having to hire someone full-time.
Fractional CMOs often help companies with things like:
- Creating or refining a marketing strategy
- Building a brand that stands out
- Leading digital marketing and demand generation
- Coaching internal teams or hiring the right people
- Launching new products or entering new markets
For MedTech companies, a fractional CMO can be especially valuable. They understand how to balance the technical, clinical, and regulatory sides of marketing with the need to reach the right audience and drive results.
NUOPTIMA: Premier Fractional C-level Experts for MedTech
At NUOPTIMA, founded by Alexej Pikovsky, our C-Suite Connect network gives MedTech companies instant access to a deep bench of pre-vetted fractional CMOs. Every CMO in our pool passes a rigorous process that Alexej personally oversees, so you get unmatched expertise perfectly aligned with your growth goals.
To win a spot on our bench, a CMO must have scaled a seven-to-nine-figure MedTech business and cleared our five-wall defense system:
- Background check: We verify a proven track record.
- Modelling exam: We test strategic and analytical skills.
- Reference calls: We confirm reputation and reliability.
- Culture fit interview: We ensure they share your vision.
- Paid trial sprint: They prove hands-on execution in a live scenario.
Only after passing all five walls do they join our talent pool.
What Makes NUOPTIMA Different
- Strategy plus execution: Our CMOs build the plan and deliver the work.
- MedTech focus: Each partner knows regulatory nuance, clinical marketing, and health tech buyers.
- Speed: We match you with the right CMO in 7-10 days.
- Founder alignment: Alexej reviews every placement for perfect cultural and tactical fit.
C-Suite Connect equips MedTech teams with data-driven marketing leadership that blends SEO mastery, growth strategy, and financial insight to push profit higher. Whether you are taking a seven-figure business toward nine figures or tightening an existing funnel, our fractional CMOs deliver measurable impact you can see on the bottom line.
Top Fractional CMOs for MedTech Companies
1. Elizabeth Venafro
Elizabeth Venafro brings nearly two decades of high-level marketing experience across B2B, government, and life sciences sectors. As a seasoned fractional CMO, she partners with organizations looking for strategic clarity and scalable marketing systems without the need for a full-time hire.
Proven Experience Across the MedTech
Elizabeth has held executive roles at multiple health and technology-driven companies. At Sorcero, a language intelligence platform serving 4 of the top 5 global life sciences companies, she led a major rebrand and executed growth campaigns that delivered a 700% increase in qualified leads. Her leadership also earned the company a Web Excellence Award.
Her MedTech credentials are anchored in her role as Director of Global Marketing Communications at K2M, a medical device company she supported from early growth through IPO and eventual acquisition by Stryker.
Previous roles at Omnilert and Unison show her strength in launching products, elevating brand presence, and using SEO and demand gen to drive measurable results.
How Elizabeth Works
Elizabeth’s approach blends big-picture thinking with sharp tactical execution. Here’s what sets her apart:
- Messaging & Positioning: Refines brand story and value proposition to clearly connect with clinical and technical buyers
- Go-to-Market Strategy: Builds customized GTM plans that scale as your company grows
- Execution Leadership: Leads internal teams or external partners with efficiency and clarity
- Industry Alignment: Deep experience in regulated and high-stakes industries like MedTech and health tech
Education & Recognition
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing at James Madison University, Magna Cum Laude
- Executive Leadership Program at Wharton School, Executive Presence and Influence
- 2015 Loudoun 40 Under 40 Honoree
Elizabeth is known not just for her marketing acumen, but for her leadership, ability to scale systems, and her genuine commitment to client success. Whether helping a company define its brand or lead a product launch in a complex space, she brings deep knowledge and a steady hand.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethvenafro
- Location: Leesburg, Virginia, United States
2. Susan Willig
Susan Willig is a visionary marketing executive with extensive experience in the healthcare, medical device, technology, and education sectors. As a fractional CMO, she helps companies create strong brand foundations and marketing strategies that support long-term growth, with a focus on health equity and women’s health.
Proven Experience Across the MedTech and Healthcare Space
Susan currently serves as the CEO and Chief Brand Strategist at TrueNorth, where she helps early-stage and growth-phase healthcare companies define their positioning and build effective go-to-market strategies.
Her fractional leadership experience spans roles such as Fractional CMO at AcornOak, Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer at Savorease Therapeutic Foods, SVP of Marketing and Patient Engagement at Key Proteo, and Co-Founder of SoCal Women’s Health
Susan’s approach is rooted in aligning brand identity with patient and customer needs, ensuring that messaging resonates across markets and drives engagement. She has also presented at industry-leading events like the MedTech Commercial Leaders Forum and brings global insight combined with regional market understanding.
How Susan Works
Susan’s approach is centered on strategic clarity and human-centered marketing. Here’s what sets Susan apart:
- Brand Foundation: Crafts clear, relevant positioning that aligns internal teams and resonates with healthcare audiences
- Strategic Roadmapping: Develops focused, actionable plans that connect long-term brand vision with near-term execution
- Customer Engagement: Builds trust through meaningful content and patient-first messaging
- Health Advocacy: Actively promotes equity and inclusion in healthcare, with a strong voice in women’s health leadership
Education & Recognition
- MBA from Xavier University
- MA in Behavioral Economics from The Chicago School (in progress)
- Industry Speaking Roles at Edwards Lifesciences and MedTech Commercial Leaders Forum
Susan is widely respected for her blend of sharp marketing strategy, cross-industry leadership, and values-driven execution. She brings the clarity, structure, and energy MedTech companies need to grow with purpose and impact.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susanwillig
- Location: Laguna Beach, California, United States
3. Bray Brockbank
Bray Brockbank is a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of experience driving growth in B2B SaaS, HealthTech, FinTech, LegalTech, and EdTech. As a fractional CMO, Bray is known for building lean, data-driven marketing systems that deliver real business impact, especially in highly technical and regulated sectors like healthcare and compliance.
Proven Experience Across the HealthTech and SaaS Space
Bray has led marketing for companies at every stage, from early growth to global scale. Most recently, he served as fractional CMO at a stealth AI startup, driving strategy across demand gen, product marketing, events, and customer loyalty.
At YouCompli, a healthcare compliance SaaS platform, Bray revamped the marketing engine, boosting qualified leads by 15x and high-value leads by 855%. He also built internal ops systems and introduced the first Regulatory Lifecycle Management Maturity Model.
Earlier, at Brandegy, Bray led growth for health-focused brands like Savorease, Telomere Diagnostics, and Healthicity, bringing sharp GTM strategy and marketing execution to technically complex sectors.
How Bray Works
Bray combines strategic oversight with hands-on execution and a deep understanding of B2B buying behavior. Here’s what sets Bray apart:
- Demand Generation: Builds multi-touch programs focused on performance, pipeline, and ROI
- Marketing Ops: Develops backend systems for attribution, reporting, and campaign optimization
- Brand Positioning: Refines and elevates messaging to resonate with technical and regulated audiences
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Aligns marketing with product, sales, and customer success for full-funnel impact
Education & Recognition
- MBA in International Business and Marketing (in progress)
- BS in Business Management and Marketing from Utah Valley University
- Honors & Awards: Microsoft “Most Impactful Campaign,” Top 1% LinkedIn Profile View Award
Bray’s expertise makes him a strong fractional leader for MedTech and HealthTech companies ready to break through stagnation, align go-to-market efforts, and drive scalable growth. He’s not just a strategist, he’s a systems thinker who delivers.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/braybrockbank
- Location: Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area
4. Marshall Poindexter
Marshall Poindexter is a seasoned fractional CMO and global marketing leader who helps MedTech, Biotech, and HealthTech companies accelerate revenue, enter new markets, and build scalable marketing systems. With a proven track record of growing company revenues from $15M to $15B+, Marshall blends data-driven execution with deep industry knowledge and a sharp eye for aligning marketing with business impact.
Proven Experience Across the MedTech and Biotech Space
Marshall has led marketing strategy and execution for a range of healthcare, technology, and SaaS companies, from global enterprises to mid-market and growth-stage businesses. At OpenEye, Cadence Molecular Sciences, he successfully built and led the global marketing function, drove brand strategy during an acquisition, and launched a redesigned website that delivered a 574% ROI and millions in pipeline. His work helped position OpenEye as a category leader in molecular design and AI-driven SaaS solutions for biotech and pharma.
As Fractional CMO at American Surgical Company, Marshall currently leads global marketing strategy, product launches, and long-term marketing function development. His broader consulting practice, S.M. Poindexter & Associates, has supported major brands like GE Healthcare, Manpower Group, and Northwestern Mutual, along with numerous health and life sciences firms.
His approach blends strategic planning with hands-on execution, including demand generation, brand positioning, sales enablement, and stakeholder engagement. Whether leading M&A integration or guiding product marketing in complex regulatory environments, Marshall delivers measurable results through disciplined, AI-informed frameworks.
How Marshall Works
Marshall approaches every engagement with a strong mix of creativity, data insight, and empathy. Here’s what sets Marshall apart:
- AI-Powered Strategy: Leverages artificial intelligence tools to scale outreach, automate insight, and drive marketing precision
- Revenue Alignment: Builds GTM strategies that connect directly to revenue outcomes and sales targets
- Team Building: Scales high-performing, cross-functional marketing teams and mentors internal talent
- Global Perspective: Brings international experience and market-entry success across the U.S., EU, and Asia
Education & Recognition
- Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University
- Master of Science in Journalism with a concentration in Magazine Publishing from Northwestern University
- Honors & Awards: GE Healthcare “Above and Beyond” Award, Zywave Core Values Award
Marshall’s marketing leadership is shaped by a rare combination of analytical precision, storytelling skill, and deep healthcare industry insight. From go-to-market challenges to AI-enabled brand growth, he delivers results that matter.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/smarshallpoindexter
- Location: Greater Milwaukee
5. Nikki DiFilippo
Nikki DiFilippo is a seasoned fractional CMO who helps MedTech and B2B tech companies scale effectively through targeted strategy, product positioning, and integrated marketing execution. With more than 20 years of experience, she brings a unique blend of IT expertise, product development insight, and hands-on marketing leadership across complex, technical industries.
Proven Experience Across the MedTech and B2B Tech Space
Nikki leads Via Vera Group, where she partners with clients to define growth strategies, refine brand positioning, and launch breakthrough products. Her work has earned clients national recognition, new investments, and significant increases in lead generation.
At Lazurite, a MedTech innovator in surgical technology, Nikki served as Director of Marketing, driving go-to-market execution and building a foundation for global brand awareness. Her background includes roles in marketing leadership at software and consulting firms, where she developed scalable systems that supported both emerging and mid-sized tech businesses.
Whether aligning internal teams or working across partners, Nikki’s work is rooted in measurable impact and lasting momentum.
How Nikki Works
Nikki takes a hands-on, collaborative approach that blends strategy with execution. Here’s what sets Nikki apart:
- Multi-Disciplinary Perspective: Combines IT, market analysis, and product management to shape holistic marketing strategies
- Growth Execution: Partners with client teams to execute high-impact campaigns that attract funding, users, and market share
- Industry Depth: Brings deep experience across high-tech and medical sectors with a proven ability to translate technical value to buyers
- Trusted Advisor: Acts as a seamless extension of leadership teams to drive alignment and accelerate outcomes
Education & Recognition
- MBA in Finance and International Business in Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University
- BBA in Kent State University
- Outstanding Alumnus Award from Weatherhead School of Management
Nikki’s leadership is trusted by CEOs and executive teams who need clear strategy, fast action, and a partner who knows how to drive sustainable growth in technical and regulated markets.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nikkidifilippo
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
6. Rena Bradham
Rena Bradham is a highly accomplished fractional CMO and strategic marketing executive who helps life science, diagnostics, biotech, and MedTech companies scale with precision. With more than 20 years of experience leading high-performing teams and launching global marketing strategies, Rena brings deep industry insight and a proven ability to deliver revenue-focused outcomes.
Proven Experience Across the MedTech and Life Sciences Space
Rena is the founder of Metis Precision Group, where she partners with companies ready to scale smart and tell compelling stories. She provides fractional CMO support, go-to-market strategy, brand positioning, and commercial enablement. Her work spans startups and global organizations across diagnostics, digital health, and medical devices.
Previously, as Head of Global Marketing at 10x Genomics, Rena built a full-spectrum marketing function and launched multiple innovative products. She also crafted the company’s strategic planning model and led a team that supported over $4.6B in revenue. Her prior leadership roles at Illumina and Qualcomm Life further highlight her ability to align marketing excellence with commercial performance and operational readiness.
Whether rebuilding teams, developing brand systems, or guiding complex go-to-market execution, Rena blends strategic clarity with tactical precision.
How Rena Works
Rena’s approach is rooted in market insight, organizational impact, and scalable execution. Here’s what sets Rena apart:
- Go-to-Market Excellence: Aligns commercial teams and product strategy with clear GTM roadmaps
- Operational Transformation: Establishes scalable processes that drive efficiency and accountability
- Customer-Centric Strategy: Uses data and insights to build marketing that resonates and converts
- Enterprise Experience: Delivers results in highly regulated, technically complex industries
Education & Recognition
- MBA in Marketing from Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business
Double BA in Economics and History from UCLA - NEXT CMO Executive Program in World 50
Rena brings both the vision and structure to scale MedTech and life science marketing, combining storytelling, commercial strategy, and operational depth to help brands lead with purpose.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rena-bradham-0258a023
- Location: Carlsbad, California, United States
7. Brit Gould
Brit Gould is a strategic fractional CMO and commercialization consultant who helps HealthTech and MedTech companies bring innovative solutions to market. With deep experience across digital health, diagnostics, and medical devices, Brit bridges strategy and execution to drive impact across complex technical landscapes.
Proven Experience Across the MedTech and Digital Health Space
Brit leads Impact Onward, where she advises and executes on go-to-market strategy, market access, and commercial planning for companies at critical inflection points. Her hands-on work spans early commercialization through scale-up and includes recent engagements at Sensydia Corporation, where she leads marketing and market access for a groundbreaking cardiac diagnostics platform.
Previously, Brit served as VP of Marketing at Eko Health, helping to shape their product strategy and brand presence in the digital stethoscope and AI cardiology space. Her background also includes key product and marketing leadership roles at iRhythm Technologies and TriReme Medical, where she drove revenue growth, built marketing infrastructure, and led successful product launches across highly competitive markets.
Brit’s rare blend of engineering knowledge, storytelling clarity, and commercialization expertise makes her a standout partner for health-focused teams looking to scale responsibly and fast.
How Brit Works
Brit partners deeply with teams to deliver strategy and execution without missing the nuance. Here’s what sets Brit apart:
- Tech-to-Market Expertise: Translates complex science and engineering into clear market value
- Execution with Rigor: Embeds with internal teams to drive real traction, not just slide decks
- Growth Strategy Alignment: Balances long-term vision with agile execution that supports short-term wins
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Builds trust across R&D, clinical, and commercial teams
Education & Recognition
- MBA in Marketing, Management & Strategy, Biotechnology Management from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management
- Master of Engineering Management from Northwestern University
- Best Market Research Award at Kellogg/McCormick New Product Fair
From disruptive diagnostics to Class III implantable devices, Brit helps MedTech innovators shape category-defining brands and achieve commercial success with purpose.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/britgould
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area
8. Rachael Sparks
Rachael Sparks brings more than two decades of experience leading marketing for healthcare and biotech ventures, with a specialty in translating complex science into clear, compelling strategy. Her expertise spans go-to-market planning, value-based messaging, data-driven storytelling, and ROI-focused execution. She works closely with companies across the health innovation space to elevate visibility, accelerate growth, and position them for industry leadership.
Proven Experience Across HealthTech and Biopharma
Rachael has served as a fractional CMO and strategic advisor to multiple medtech and biopharma companies, including Praedicare Inc, Research Lifecycle Solutions, and The Brand Leader. As co-founder of Phase Advance, she helps organizations predict clinical endpoints and optimize trial planning through advanced disease modeling.
Prior to consulting, she led marketing at Xenex Disinfection Services, where she directed PR and growth initiatives tied to infectious disease control. Her strategies helped gain attention from major hospital systems, global media, and investors. She’s also driven marketing outcomes in complex systems like the VA, DoD, NHS, and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Rachael’s deep understanding of regulations, market pressures, and clinical validation allows her to guide companies from idea to industry adoption with measurable results.
How Rachael Works
Rachael’s approach balances high-level planning with direct hands-on impact. She’s known for:
- Scientific innovation and storytelling: Connecting breakthroughs with human-centered narratives
- Differentiated messaging: Clarifying and elevating complex products
- Integrated strategies: Aligning PR, digital, and demand generation for cohesive growth
- Brand positioning and market insight: Syncing voice-of-customer feedback with competitive dynamics
Education & Recognition
- BS in Microbiology from Texas A&M University
- Certified Tissue Banking Specialist (CTBS) from AATB
Rachael thrives at the intersection of science, storytelling, and strategic execution, making her a valuable asset for any healthtech or biotech company ready to grow with clarity and confidence.
Contacts
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rachael–sparks
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Why More MedTech Brands Are Turning to Fractional CMOs
Hiring a full-time executive isn’t always the best move for every business in the MedTech world. That’s where a fractional CMO can be a total game-changer.
Access to Top-Tier Talent Without the Overhead
Fractional CMOs bring senior-level marketing expertise without the commitment or cost of a full-time hire. For MedTech companies navigating tight budgets or early commercial phases, this means you can work with someone who’s helped grow multi-million dollar businesses without blowing your resources.
Flexibility That Matches Your Growth
One of the best parts? Flexibility. You get to scale your marketing leadership as needed. Whether you’re launching a new product, entering a new market, or tightening up your messaging, a fractional CMO can step in when it matters most, then step back once the foundation is built.
Deep Industry Knowledge Without a Steep Learning Curve
Great fractional CMOs in the MedTech space don’t need to be brought up to speed. They already understand things like regulatory environments, buyer personas (clinicians, payers, procurement teams), and the long sales cycles that come with healthcare. That means faster results, fewer missteps, and messaging that actually resonates.
Strategy Meets Execution
Fractional CMOs don’t just sit back and give high-level advice, they roll up their sleeves. They create go-to-market strategies, manage teams or vendors, oversee campaigns, and often even write copy or optimize funnels. You’re not just getting a thinker. You’re getting a doer.
How to Choose a CMO for Your MedTech Company
Bringing the right marketing leader on board is a critical decision for any MedTech company. Whether you’re commercializing a new device, scaling post-Series A, or refining your GTM strategy, choosing the right CMO can shape your growth trajectory. Here’s how to evaluate the best fit.
1. Look for MedTech-Specific Experience
Regulated industries require a different level of marketing rigor. Your CMO should understand FDA requirements, clinical validation cycles, and the nuances of B2B and B2C healthcare buyers. Experience with hospital systems, procurement processes, and payer dynamics is a major advantage.
2. Prioritize Strategic and Tactical Balance
The best CMOs don’t just create PowerPoints. They connect high-level strategy with on-the-ground execution. You want someone who can build a positioning framework, but also roll up their sleeves to launch campaigns, refine messaging, and optimize funnels.
3. Assess Alignment with Your Stage and Goals
Not every CMO is built for every stage. Some excel at go-to-market planning and early traction, while others are better suited for growth-stage scaling or turnaround challenges. Define what success looks like in the next 12 months, and find someone who’s done it before.
4. Evaluate Cultural and Mission Fit
Marketing leadership isn’t just about metrics, it’s about momentum. Your CMO should be fluent in your category, passionate about your mission, and able to inspire internal teams, clinicians, and customers alike. Culture fit matters, especially in tight, technical teams.
5. Consider a Fractional Option
If full-time isn’t in scope, a fractional CMO can bring senior-level firepower without the overhead. It’s a flexible, cost-efficient way to access top talent with a deep bench of expertise, especially when sourced through a pre-vetted network like NUOPTIMA’s C-Suite Connect.
Conclusion
Finding the right marketing leadership is one of the most important moves a MedTech company can make. A great fractional CMO brings not just strategic expertise, but also deep industry understanding and the ability to act quickly without the long onboarding curve of a full-time hire.
Whether you’re launching a new product, refining your go-to-market strategy, or just trying to make your brand resonate with the right audience, a fractional CMO gives you experienced guidance without the full-time commitment. With the list of proven experts we’ve shared, you’re one step closer to choosing the right fit for your team and goals.
FAQ
A fractional CMO provides high-level marketing leadership on a part-time or contract basis. They help shape strategy, lead execution, manage teams, and drive measurable growth, just like a full-time CMO, but with more flexibility.
While a consultant typically offers advice or project-based support, a fractional CMO steps into a leadership role. They become part of your team, own outcomes, and often oversee in-house staff or agency partners.
It depends on the need. Some engagements last a few months to support a product launch or GTM strategy. Others last a year or longer to drive growth and support hiring a full-time leader later on.
Yes. In fact, small and growing teams often benefit the most. A fractional CMO brings senior-level insight without the full-time cost and helps avoid costly missteps in messaging, positioning, or strategy.
Many companies use fractional CMOs as a bridge to hiring a full-time executive. Some even transition their fractional leader into a permanent role if there’s a strong fit.
