Fractional COOs in Chicago Making Things Happen in 2025

Chicago Interim Chief Operating Officers to Know

When it comes to scaling businesses with precision and purpose, Chicago has long been a powerhouse for talent, grit, and execution. But today’s fast-growing companies need more than just hustle—they need operational leadership that’s flexible, seasoned, and deeply aligned with the demands of modern growth. Enter the fractional COO.

A fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a senior executive brought in on a part-time or interim basis to help founders and executive teams optimize operations, improve strategy, and drive outcomes. Whether launching a new business unit, navigating a funding round, or transforming legacy systems, fractional COOs provide high-level expertise—without the full-time overhead.

At Digital Reference, we’re reimagining how professionals document, validate, and amplify their contributions to the organizations they serve. That means creating space for fractional leaders to be seen, celebrated, and connected. This curated list of fractional COOs in Chicago showcases individuals who are not only making an impact behind the scenes—they’re pushing businesses forward across industries.

Our Methodology

We selected this group through a thoughtful process of research and community input, using the following criteria:

• Active fractional or interim COO or operations leadership role
• Based in Chicago or surrounding areas with clients in the region
• Operate as solo consultants, small firms, or boutique leadership advisors
• Have visible experience in operations, growth strategy, process design, and leadership development
• Align with the Digital Reference mission of radical authenticity, structured professional storytelling, and a more transparent talent ecosystem

These are the operators who help founders sleep at night—and help teams scale with confidence.

Meet the Fractional COOs Powering Chicago’s Growth

Mark Scrimenti

As founder of Vivid Path Consulting, Mark Scrimenti delivers fractional COO services with a sharp focus on people, processes, and performance. With deep experience in e-commerce, marketing, and operations, he helps founders scale sustainably.

Why He Stands Out:

• Offers fractional COO, strategic planning, and org design services
• Works with e-commerce brands, DTC companies, and creative teams
• Balances business growth with leadership development and team clarity

Mark is ideal for fast-moving teams who need a thoughtful operator who can scale systems without sacrificing soul.

Jesse Hallock

Founder of Arabona, Jesse Hallock is a fractional COO and operations strategist who brings clarity and structure to purpose-driven organizations. His work spans startups, nonprofits, and service-based businesses seeking intentional growth.

Why He Stands Out:

• Expertise in financial modeling, process mapping, and operational audits
• Works closely with clients to implement repeatable systems and workflows
• Prioritizes relationship-building alongside performance improvement

Jesse is best known for bringing both heart and systems to his clients—leading with curiosity, accountability, and structure.

Valentina Mendoza

https://www.myntplanning.com/about

As the founder of Mynt Planning, Valentina Mendoza helps impact-driven organizations build clarity through operational structure and strategic roadmaps. With experience across nonprofits, startups, and corporate strategy, Valentina offers fractional COO services designed to help leaders translate vision into action.

Why She Stands Out:

• Deep expertise in goal setting, strategic planning, and executive collaboration
• Specializes in mission-led businesses and high-growth teams
• Brings a values-aligned approach to operations, finance, and communications

Valentina is an ideal partner for teams who want rigor without rigidity—someone who can co-create structure while preserving culture.

Marisa Mann

https://www.uplift-all.com/

Through her firm Uplift All, Marisa Mann delivers fractional COO services focused on inclusive, human-centered operations. With a background in program development, DEI strategy, and operations leadership, she helps organizations thrive through equitable systems and team empowerment.

Why She Stands Out:

• Merges strategy, implementation, and equity-centered design
• Works with nonprofits, educational institutions, and social impact ventures
• Leads with empathy, structure, and a coaching-informed mindset

Marisa is a go-to leader for organizations navigating complexity at the intersection of growth and inclusion.

Josh Chapman

https://greengranite.co/

Co-founder of Green Granite, Josh Chapman brings a builder’s mindset to operations. He’s a hands-on fractional COO who works with startups and scaling businesses to develop resilient teams, scalable systems, and sustainable growth.

Why He Stands Out:

• Brings a tech-forward and systems-led approach to organizational design
• Deep focus on founder enablement, leadership coaching, and culture
• Combines COO services with strategic advisory and org development

Josh thrives in environments where the vision is strong but the execution needs support—and he helps make that vision a reality.

Jennifer Ludwig Clark

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

With a robust background in executive operations and nonprofit leadership, Jennifer Ludwig Clark provides interim and fractional COO support to teams in transition. Her leadership style is collaborative, systems-focused, and grounded in impact.

Why She Stands Out:

• Specializes in interim executive management, process design, and organizational change
• Strong experience in fundraising operations, board relations, and program execution
• Works across nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit sectors

Jennifer is often brought in during periods of strategic realignment or leadership shifts, helping organizations stabilize and move forward with clarity.

Why Chicago Is Built for Fractional Leadership

Chicago has always been a city that blends business acumen with Midwestern practicality. Its economy spans industries—finance, healthcare, logistics, food, and tech—making it fertile ground for companies in various growth stages. And as remote work and agile teams become the norm, the fractional executive model is thriving.

Fractional COOs are in high demand because:

• Companies need senior leadership without full-time costs
• Startups need flexibility during growth and fundraising cycles
• Nonprofits and mission-driven orgs need experienced operators on a project basis

The leaders on this list represent the best of what Chicago has to offer: smart, capable, values-aligned operators who know how to get things done.

What Makes a Great Fractional COO?

The best fractional COOs combine versatility with vision. They are:

• Operational generalists with deep expertise in at least one domain
• Comfortable moving between strategy and execution
• Quick to build trust with founders and teams
• Fluent in the language of culture, KPIs, and cash flow
• Structured thinkers who leave organizations better than they found them

They bring order to chaos, clarity to complexity, and calm to uncertainty.

The Digital Reference Viewpoint

At Digital Reference, we’re building a platform that enables professionals to own their story—not just tell it. For fractional leaders, that means:

• Capturing verified work outcomes and client feedback
• Organizing experience into a structured, professional portfolio
• Building trust and discoverability in a transparent, reputation-driven ecosystem

We believe that the future of executive talent is modular, mission-aligned, and measurable—and that platforms like ours are how we’ll get there.

Final Thoughts

The rise of fractional leadership isn’t just a trend—it’s a signal that organizations are seeking better, more flexible, and more values-aligned ways to grow.

The fractional COOs featured here—Valentina Mendoza, Marisa Mann, Josh Chapman, Jesse Hallock, Jennifer Ludwig Clark, and Mark Scrimenti—aren’t just keeping the wheels turning. They’re building the systems that drive long-term success.

Whether you're a founder preparing for a new phase, a nonprofit in transition, or a scaling company that needs strategic operations—this list is your starting point.

Explore their work. Reach out. And when you're ready to document your leadership story or hire someone who can move your mission forward—start with Digital Reference.

– The Digital Reference Team

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