Fractional CMOs in Los Angeles Making Things Happen in 2025

L.A. Interim Chief Marketing Officers to Know

In the city of dreams, storytelling is currency—and marketing is the engine behind it. Los Angeles isn’t just home to Hollywood. It’s a dynamic business ecosystem made up of media companies, tech disruptors, wellness brands, consumer startups, and mission-driven nonprofits. Behind many of these organizations are marketing leaders working quietly and effectively to shape brands, drive growth, and align creative energy with business results. And increasingly, those leaders are operating on a fractional basis.

At Digital Reference, we’re committed to making work more visible, more structured, and more human. That means elevating the people who are helping companies thrive—especially when they’re doing it behind the scenes. Fractional CMOs bring executive-level marketing strategy without the commitment of a full-time hire. They embed quickly, lead with empathy, and leave lasting impact. In this blog, we spotlight the fractional CMOs in Los Angeles who are truly making things happen.

Our Methodology

We selected this group of professionals based on:

• Location: Based in Los Angeles or greater Southern California (including surrounding cities like Santa Monica, Pasadena, Long Beach, and Culver City)
• Professional Model: Working as independent fractional CMOs or through their own consultancy
• Experience: Demonstrated leadership in brand, marketing, growth, or communication roles
• Public Profile: A strong digital footprint—either through a personal site or active LinkedIn presence
• Digital Reference Alignment: Professionals whose careers reflect transparency, authenticity, and real-world value

These are not just advisors—they are builders, operators, and visionaries who embed into companies and make an immediate difference.

Meet the Fractional CMOs in L.A. Making Things Happen

1. Krystal Hauserman

https://www.krystalhauserman.com/about

Founder of KCH Haus, Krystal Hauserman is a seasoned fractional CMO with a deep background in brand storytelling, creative development, and audience engagement. Her work spans startups to Fortune 100s, and her sweet spot lies in blending strategic thinking with cultural resonance.

Why She Stands Out:

• Known for driving high-growth marketing strategies across entertainment, wellness, and tech
• Expert in brand architecture, content strategy, and campaign leadership
• Deep experience with founder-led businesses and scaling creative teams

Krystal is an ideal partner for brands with a bold voice and big ambition. She helps visionary leaders articulate their story—and get it in front of the right audiences.

2. Elizabeth Ahern

https://brand555.com/

As founder of Brand 555, Elizabeth Ahern delivers high-touch fractional CMO services to growth-minded brands. Her experience in B2B and B2C marketing leadership spans everything from brand identity to full-funnel execution.

Why She Stands Out:

• Helps businesses build scalable marketing infrastructure from the ground up
• Deep focus on brand equity, positioning, and customer lifecycle strategy
• Hands-on approach with strategy, team-building, and platform integration

Elizabeth is perfect for companies seeking a structured marketing function without sacrificing creativity. She builds frameworks that last.

3. Lindsey Rosenberg

https://www.lindseyrosenberg.com/

With a background in branding, communications, and founder storytelling, Lindsey Rosenberg is a sought-after fractional CMO for mission-driven and experience-centric brands. Her gift is helping companies find their voice—and use it to grow.

Why She Stands Out:

• Extensive work in wellness, lifestyle, and service-driven industries
• Expert in brand voice development, community engagement, and marketing strategy
• Offers creative direction and campaign leadership with a human touch

Lindsey’s clients love her clarity, warmth, and high standards. She is the voice behind many brand voices you know and love.

4. Jenna Hannon

https://jennahannon.com/

Jenna Hannon brings a global perspective to her role as a fractional CMO. With marketing leadership roles across North America and Europe, she’s helped startups scale and enterprises innovate—with precision, polish, and personality.

Why She Stands Out:

• Strong foundation in SaaS, fintech, and growth-stage companies
• Excellent at GTM strategy, team scaling, and performance marketing alignment
• Brings clarity and structure to marketing teams in transition

Jenna thrives in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments where marketing needs to work hard and show results fast.

5. Grant Johnson

https://cmomentor.com/about/

Founder of CMO Mentor, Grant Johnson combines decades of marketing experience with a coaching mindset. As a fractional CMO, he helps companies build internal capabilities while driving high-level strategic growth.

Why He Stands Out:

• Works across B2B, SaaS, and professional services
• Focused on empowering internal teams while guiding strategy
• Thoughtful and experienced leader who helps founders avoid common pitfalls

Grant’s value is twofold: he builds the marketing roadmap and teaches your team how to drive it.

6. Ricki McCarroll

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

A fractional marketing executive and startup advisor, Ricki McCarroll supports early-stage ventures and growth companies with go-to-market leadership, customer acquisition strategy, and brand evolution.

Why She Stands Out:

• Background includes VC-backed startups, DTC brands, and agency leadership
• Expert in audience development, conversion optimization, and campaign strategy
• A practical leader who knows how to turn insights into action

Ricki helps companies go from “marketing mess” to messaging clarity—with speed and focus.

Find the Right FCMO for Your Needs?

We are a small team here at Digital Reference so were not able to research all of the FCMOs we found in LA. If the awesome fractional CMOs above didn't have the skills or experience you were looking for, check out these LA-based FCMOs below:

7. Steve Tate

https://rankfile.co/
Steve Tate is a seasoned marketing professional with extensive experience in building brands and designing cutting-edge marketing strategies. He currently serves as a Fractional CMO at Rank & File.

8. Jason Wright

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiwr/
Jason Wright is a growth-driven marketing leader with over 15 years of experience helping businesses scale, streamline operations, and solve complex challenges. He offers fractional CMO services to companies aiming for substantial growth.

9. Jon Brewer

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbrewercmo/
Jon Brewer is dedicated to accelerating the growth of architecture, design, and construction companies. As a fractional CMO, he focuses on developing and implementing effective marketing strategies tailored to these industries.

10. Karin Nelson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinnelson/
Karin Nelson is a Marketing Communications Consultant who assists clients in navigating the complex and ever-evolving marketing and communications landscape. Her expertise includes strategic planning and execution as a fractional CMO.

11. Natalie Swan

https://swanandassociates.co/services
As the head of Swan & Associates, Natalie is recognized for her strategic planning and execution skills. She offers fractional CMO services, helping businesses enhance their marketing efforts.

12. David Fisher

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-c-fisher/
David Fisher is the Founder & Principal of his consulting firm, providing fractional CMO services. With over twenty years of experience in the Los Angeles area, he specializes in real estate brokerage services and strategic marketing.

13. David Pinsky

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-pinsky-4a78a17/
David Pinsky offers fractional CMO services through his consulting practice. Based in Los Angeles, he brings a wealth of experience in marketing strategy and execution.

14. Vivian Wang

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivian-m-wang/
Vivian Wang is a marketing consultant and fractional CMO specializing in brand visibility and product sales. With over 15 years in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, she brings a wealth of experience to her clients.

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Why L.A. is a Hotspot for Fractional Marketing Talent

Los Angeles is a creative epicenter, but it’s also a city full of entrepreneurs, founders, and independent thinkers. Companies here often don’t follow traditional corporate playbooks—and neither do their marketing leaders.

Fractional CMOs offer a strategic solution for businesses that:

• Are growing fast but not ready for a full-time executive
• Need seasoned leadership to build or restructure marketing teams
• Are entering new markets or launching new products
• Want to align brand, customer experience, and revenue strategy

Whether it’s a celebrity-backed product, a health-tech startup, or a community-focused nonprofit, fractional CMOs are giving Los Angeles brands the edge they need to lead.

The Digital Reference POV

At Digital Reference, we’re not just chronicling careers—we’re building the new infrastructure for professional reputation. For fractional leaders, that means:

• Creating structured, verified portfolios that highlight outcomes—not just responsibilities
• Making it easier for founders and hiring managers to find talent based on proof of impact
• Helping independent professionals build portable, transparent reputations they can carry across engagements

The professionals featured in this blog are part of a larger movement—one that centers radical authenticity and radical transparency in the way we work.

Final Thoughts

The future of marketing leadership is flexible, verifiable, and impact-driven. The fractional CMOs of Los Angeles are showing us how it’s done.

From Krystal Hauserman’s brand storytelling brilliance to Grant Johnson’s strategic mentorship, this list features professionals who know how to turn marketing into momentum. They are collaborators, innovators, and trusted guides—and they’re building the next generation of L.A.’s most meaningful brands.

If you’re a founder looking to grow—or a fractional leader ready to tell your own story—start with Digital Reference.

– The Digital Reference Team

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