Fractional CMOs in Washington DC Making Things Happen in 2025

DC & DMV Interim Chief Marketing Officers to Know

Washington DC isn’t just a political capital—it’s a marketing capital. In the heart of the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia), organizations are doing everything from shaping public opinion to launching SaaS startups and scaling purpose-driven brands. Behind many of these efforts are fractional Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs)—seasoned professionals who bring strategic firepower, leadership, and flexibility to the teams they serve.

At Digital Reference, we believe in showcasing professionals more authentically. That means surfacing the voices and verified impact of those shaping the ecosystem in ways that often go unseen. Fractional CMOs embody this kind of behind-the-scenes leadership. They help companies clarify their story, scale their visibility, and align marketing with mission—all without the commitment of a full-time hire.

This blog is a curated spotlight on the interim and fractional marketing executives shaping the DC and DMV marketing landscape.

Our Methodology

To build this list, we conducted independent research and applied the following criteria:

• Location: Based in the District of Columbia or surrounding regions, including Maryland and Northern Virginia
• Service Model: Offering fractional, part-time, or interim CMO services either independently or through boutique firms
• Track Record: Demonstrated marketing leadership, client outcomes, or startup traction
• Professional Transparency: Active digital footprint (website, LinkedIn, or published casework)
• Digital Reference Alignment: Commitment to transparent, outcome-driven work that puts reputation and results first

These leaders don’t just offer strategy—they offer transformation. Let’s meet the professionals making things happen.

Meet the Fractional CMOs in DC & the DMV

1. Layla Nielsen

https://laylanielsen.com/

Founder of Nielsen Marketing Consulting, Layla Nielsen is a seasoned brand and digital marketing strategist with a deep background in scaling early-stage companies. Her work is grounded in empathy, creativity, and a results-first mindset.

Why She Stands Out:

• Expert in positioning, go-to-market strategy, and brand storytelling
• Works with mission-led companies, startups, and agencies
• Emphasizes intentional growth through marketing clarity and smart systems

Layla brings structure to chaos. She helps teams move from scattered tactics to a unified marketing engine.

2. Fadzai Nhamburo

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

With experience in strategic communications, corporate affairs, and executive branding, Fadzai Nhamburo is a trusted marketing advisor to leaders navigating change. Her fractional CMO work often involves aligning internal and external narratives during key transitions.

Why She Stands Out:

• Strong background in B2B, public affairs, and communications strategy
• Works across sectors: tech, finance, government, and non-profits
• Passionate about inclusive messaging and stakeholder alignment

Fadzai is the right fit for organizations seeking to build reputation, resilience, and reach.

3. Katia Billeci

https://myleadstrategy.com

As founder of MyLeadStrategy, Katia Billeci brings a performance-driven approach to fractional CMO services. With a laser focus on growth and demand generation, she helps early-stage and scaling companies turn marketing into measurable momentum.

Why She Stands Out:

• Specializes in lead generation, funnel optimization, and sales alignment
• Deep experience with SaaS, B2B, and growth-stage ventures
• Focused on outcomes, not just activity

Katia builds systems that turn marketing from a cost center into a growth driver.

4. Jennifer Dodson

https://www.adashmorecreative.com/fractional-cmo-services/

Through her firm Adashmore Creative, Jennifer Dodson provides fractional CMO leadership that balances brand strategy with executional excellence. Her portfolio includes regional nonprofits, public agencies, and purpose-driven enterprises.

Why She Stands Out:

• Combines creative agency experience with strategic leadership
• Skilled in rebranding, campaign development, and content strategy
• Passionate about helping small teams scale their impact

Jennifer is perfect for organizations that need vision, voice, and velocity.

5. Jolene Wiggins

https://jolenewiggins.com/

A marketer and culture-builder, Jolene Wiggins leads with empathy and enterprise-level experience. She’s worked across education, tech, and healthcare—bringing storytelling, structure, and heart to every engagement.

Why She Stands Out:

• Former CMO and marketing leader at impact organizations and startups
• Deep expertise in internal comms, customer engagement, and change marketing
• Committed to building inclusive brands with emotional intelligence

Jolene helps brands speak with integrity and scale with intention.

6. Katie Hollar

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

As a data-driven marketing leader, Katie Hollar specializes in helping SaaS and tech companies scale sustainably. She provides fractional CMO services that align brand, product marketing, and sales.

Why She Stands Out:

• Background includes roles in VC-backed startups and high-growth SaaS
• Known for growth playbooks, product launches, and conversion strategy
• Empowers founders to prioritize what actually moves the needle

Katie is a fractional partner for teams that want smart marketing decisions, not just more noise.

7. Lindsay R. Weis

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

A marketing strategist with deep roots in media, healthcare, and association leadership, Lindsay Weis brings calm clarity to organizations navigating digital transformation. Her fractional CMO work includes both strategic leadership and hands-on execution.

Why She Stands Out:

• Background in integrated marketing, brand positioning, and internal alignment
• Trusted by executive teams to lead during periods of organizational change
• Combines creative intuition with process and planning rigor

Lindsay helps teams translate mission into messaging that gets noticed.

8. Bruce Lovett

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

A veteran marketing executive, Bruce Lovett has led global campaigns, brand repositionings, and full-stack marketing operations. Now offering fractional CMO services, he works with mid-market companies ready to level up their marketing maturity.

Why He Stands Out:

• Experience across B2B, B2C, government, and nonprofit sectors
• Skilled at building marketing functions that scale with revenue
• Brings boardroom presence and operational excellence to every client

Bruce is a strong partner for teams that want strategic vision with measurable performance.

Why DC and the DMV Are Ideal for Fractional Marketing Leadership

The DMV is home to some of the most complex and mission-driven organizations in the country. From federal contractors to education innovators, and associations to SaaS startups, the region thrives on clarity, credibility, and capability.

Fractional CMOs are increasingly in demand here because:

• Many organizations are resource-constrained but growth-minded
• Executive teams want flexibility without compromising quality
• Founders and CEOs are looking for trusted thought partners with marketing fluency
• The pace of policy, innovation, and public sentiment requires adaptive leadership

These fractional CMOs step in during moments of inflection—whether it's a brand refresh, a funding round, a pivot, or a leadership change—and help teams move forward with confidence.

Digital Reference: A Platform for Authentic Professional Stories

At Digital Reference, we’re building a system that rewards real-world impact, not just impressive resumes. Fractional professionals like those featured in this list benefit from tools that:

• Capture client-verified references and performance outcomes
• Build portable, structured professional narratives
• Highlight trust, results, and reputation

We’re here to help professionals showcase their work—not just their titles.

In a world where work is increasingly independent, flexible, and portfolio-driven, platforms like Digital Reference are helping to make the invisible, visible.

Final Thoughts: DC's Marketing Future is Fractional

From nonprofit campaigns to enterprise rebrands, the fractional CMOs of Washington DC and the DMV are helping organizations build bridges between vision and execution.

They are mentors, architects, collaborators, and builders. They don't just lead—they make things happen.

If you're a founder, executive, or team leader looking to grow, align, or reposition—this list is your starting point. If you're a fractional CMO looking to showcase your work, Digital Reference is your next step.

Featured Leaders:

• Layla Nielsen
• Fadzai Nhamburo
• Katia Billeci
• Jennifer Dodson
• Jolene Wiggins
• Katie Hollar
• Lindsay R. Weis
• Bruce Lovett

Let’s keep building a talent ecosystem that values what professionals actually do—not just what they say they do.

– The Digital Reference Team

‍