Fractional CTOs in New York City Making Things Happen in 2025

New York City Interim Chief Technology Officers to Know

There’s something about New York City that breeds ambition. It’s the pulse of startups, the playground of enterprise, and the proving ground for some of the sharpest minds in tech. Amid this fast-moving, ever-evolving ecosystem, fractional CTOs—part-time Chief Technology Officers—are becoming the go-to solution for founders, startups, and scaling companies who need world-class technical leadership without the full-time overhead.

At Digital Reference, our mission is to spotlight the people who power businesses—authentically and transparently. We’re building a content ecosystem rooted in radical transparency and radical authenticity, where professionals don’t just showcase their résumés, but their real work, lived experience, and verified contributions. In that spirit, we’re thrilled to launch our NYC edition of "Fractional CTOs Making Things Happen."

This blog is a living list—a curated spotlight on independent fractional CTOs and technology executives in New York City and surrounding regions who are helping startups build smarter, launch faster, and scale with confidence. Whether you're looking to fill a technical leadership gap, get guidance through a product build, or prep your infrastructure for funding, these are the names worth knowing.

Our methodology includes:

• Verifying professionals are located in or primarily serve NYC-area companies
• Evaluating their experience, thought leadership, and offerings
• Prioritizing independent practitioners and solo consultants

Let’s meet the leaders.

Jack Stevens

Website: jackstevens.com

Jack Stevens is a veteran product engineer and fractional CTO who bridges the gap between code and company vision. As the founder of his own consultancy, Jack partners with startups to develop high-impact product strategies and scalable tech architecture.

His sweet spot? Early- and growth-stage ventures who need to transform their product from v1 to viable. Jack’s work spans multiple industries—from SaaS platforms to creative agencies—and his approach combines deep technical insight with business savvy.

Whether acting as a founding engineer or advising on product-market fit, Jack is all about turning complexity into momentum. He’s based in NYC and brings an understated brilliance to every client partnership.

Vitaly Kezlya

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vitaly-kezlya

Vitaly Kezlya brings a calm, calculated precision to everything he does. As a fractional CTO, he supports tech startups and scaling organizations through periods of high transition—whether it’s a platform rebuild, a team reorg, or a push for new revenue models.

Vitaly has a background in both engineering and leadership, with hands-on experience building distributed systems and managing cross-functional teams. He’s known for his systems-thinking approach, where process, people, and product intersect.

Based in the NYC metro area, Vitaly has a deep appreciation for both the technical and human sides of the CTO role. He’s not just shipping features—he’s helping companies build the operational backbone that supports long-term growth.

Jon Williams

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonwill

Jon Williams is a name that rings out in New York tech. With decades of experience and a sharp eye for product-market dynamics, Jon brings the gravitas of a seasoned CTO to startups who need technical clarity and growth alignment.

Through his company, Gumtree Tech, Jon provides fractional CTO services to early-stage and fast-scaling companies. He’s built and led engineering teams, overseen complex integrations, and guided businesses through major inflection points—from MVP to enterprise scale.

Jon’s background also includes venture advisory and innovation leadership, making him an ideal partner for founders navigating the intersection of tech, investment, and go-to-market strategy.

Dan Spiegel

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danspiegel

Dan Spiegel has been building, scaling, and transforming businesses for over 25 years. Based in NYC, he’s the founder of Dan Spiegel LLC, where he provides fractional CTO and technology strategy services to high-growth startups and small-to-midsize businesses.

Dan’s strength lies in his ability to align technology with business outcomes. He works closely with CEOs and product teams to ensure that infrastructure decisions serve revenue, customer experience, and long-term vision—not just technical requirements.

Whether it’s leading a cloud migration, assembling a development team, or auditing a codebase before acquisition, Dan delivers a steady hand and sharp analysis. He’s the kind of partner who can both architect the roadmap and inspire the team to follow it.

Daniel Peters

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danielpetersct

Daniel Peters brings a rare mix of technical depth and communication finesse to the CTO role. With over 20 years of experience in IT and software development, he’s built everything from enterprise platforms to nimble SaaS tools.

As a fractional CTO, Daniel helps companies with technical hiring, infrastructure audits, platform architecture, and more. He’s particularly strong at stepping into organizations at a pivot point—when technology decisions carry big business consequences.

Daniel’s leadership style is pragmatic and highly collaborative. He knows how to translate tech into terms that boards, investors, and non-technical founders can act on. Based in the greater NYC region, he’s helped companies navigate digital transformation, security upgrades, and product launches.

Chris Miller

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrismiller6ps

Chris Miller wears many hats, but his throughline is transformation. As a fractional CTO and business technologist, Chris has worked with dozens of startups and mid-market companies to redefine how technology fuels growth.

Chris is known for his 6Ps framework—Product, People, Process, Platform, Performance, and Profit. This strategic lens helps him go beyond code reviews and tech audits; he evaluates how every part of the business interrelates with the technology stack.

From SaaS to healthcare to fintech, Chris brings a systems-minded approach to CTO engagements. He’s based in NYC and often works as an interim leader while companies prepare for a full-time hire or major shift in product direction.

Why Fractional CTOs Matter More Than Ever

The need for fractional CTOs is rising—and not just in budget-conscious startups. Founders and operators are realizing that the traditional executive model doesn’t always fit the reality of fast-moving, resource-constrained environments.

Hiring a full-time CTO means big overhead, high stakes, and often a long search. A fractional CTO, on the other hand, offers:

• Senior-level strategy without the full-time cost
• Scalable involvement (5–20 hours per week)
• Objectivity and flexibility for founder-led teams
• Access to broader networks of talent and tools

Especially in a city like NYC—where ideas launch daily and investor expectations run high—fractional leaders bring the experience and grounding needed to move fast without breaking things.

The Digital Reference Lens

At Digital Reference, we believe the future of work is more fluid, personalized, and reference-driven. That’s why our platform helps fractional executives:

• Build verified portfolios of their work
• Capture video references and project proof points
• Create shareable public profiles that go beyond résumés

Each of the professionals in this list has been evaluated for both credibility and relevance in today’s ecosystem. Some are already using Digital Reference to showcase their unique positioning—others may join the movement soon.

Our goal is to make it easier for hiring teams and collaborators to find the right person—not just based on title, but on lived experience, actual outcomes, and authentic communication.

Looking Ahead: More CTOs, More Stories

This is a living list, which means we’ll be updating and expanding it over time. If you know of a stellar fractional CTO based in New York City or the Tri-State area—someone quietly helping founders solve complex problems and build the next big thing—let us know.

📩 Reach out to the Digital Reference editorial team if you'd like to recommend a professional, submit your own profile, or get featured.

The world of fractional leadership is evolving. And as the lines between consulting, executive work, and entrepreneurship blur, platforms like Digital Reference are helping professionals tell their stories with more clarity and confidence.

We hope this list inspires your next great collaboration.

– The Digital Reference Team

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