Fractional COOs in NYC Making Things Happen in 2025

New York City Interim Chief Operating Officers to Know

In a city that thrives on hustle, ambition, and relentless execution, the role of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is more vital than ever. But in today’s evolving world of work, companies are increasingly turning to fractional and interim COOs—experienced operators who deliver executive-level leadership on a flexible, part-time, or project basis. Especially in high-stakes environments like New York City, fractional COOs have become essential catalysts for growth, transformation, and operational excellence.

From scaling startups to optimizing team workflows in creative firms, these fractional executives are embedded problem solvers and strategic operators. They’re the quiet engines behind the scenes, making sure the trains run on time while helping founders sleep better at night.

At Digital Reference, we’re committed to building a more efficient and transparent talent ecosystem. That means amplifying professionals who bring radical authenticity and radical transparency to their work. This guide highlights the top fractional COOs and independent operators in NYC and the Tri-State area—leaders who are truly making things happen.

Our Methodology

We curated this list through a process of direct outreach, peer recommendations, and public research. Each featured executive meets the following criteria:

• Active fractional COO or operational leadership role
• Based in New York City or the surrounding Tri-State area
• Offers independent or boutique advisory services
• Brings demonstrable experience in operations, strategy, team building, and execution

We looked for operators who are credible, accessible, and mission-driven—the kind of leaders companies trust to stabilize, optimize, and scale.

Meet the Fractional COOs to Know in the NYC Area

Victor Malena

The Digital Reference team had the privilege of interviewing Victor face-to-face. What a great conversation! Here's what we learned:

"Morals and ethos" come first for Victor when deciding to work with new clients. ​Victor Malena is a standout figure in New York City's fractional COO landscape, bringing a pragmatic, hands-on approach to operational leadership through his firm, Ops on Tap. With a background steeped in finance, operations, and systems work, Malena has carved out a niche for himself as a "seasoned SaaS utility player," adept at navigating the complexities of scaling businesses.​

‍‍Ops on Tap, Malena's brainchild, operates on the principle of providing full-time expertise with fractional commitment. The firm positions itself as an "operational Swiss Army knife," ready to step in when businesses need to build, fix, or scale their operational systems. Their services range from financial operations and ERP & systems configuration to ops infrastructure & process design, scaling and strategic support, special projects & firefighting, and bookkeeping. This breadth of services underscores Malena's commitment to delivering tangible outcomes that drive businesses forward.​

What sets Malena apart is his execution-first philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of rolling up one's sleeves and getting into the system to do the work, rather than just offering advice. This approach is particularly appealing to bootstrapped startups and early-stage teams that need results without the overhead of a full-time hire. Malena's ethos is encapsulated in his statement: "We deliver ops that work — fixing what's broken, building what's missing, and giving you the clarity to scale."​

In addition to his operational work, Malena shares his insights through "The Operator’s Field Guide," a Substack publication aimed at helping professionals cut through the noise and focus on impactful tasks. This initiative reflects his dedication to transforming lofty strategies into actionable, meaningful moves that propel operations forward.​

Victor Malena's blend of strategic insight and hands-on execution makes him a valuable asset to any organization looking to streamline operations and scale effectively. His work through Ops on Tap exemplifies the impact that a seasoned fractional COO can have on a business's trajectory. If you're looking for a "fractional do-er" then Victor and Ops on Tap are the right fractional coo for you.

Guy Barretta

With a name like The COO Guy, Guy Barretta lives up to the brand. He provides hands-on fractional COO services focused on helping companies design better systems, delegate more effectively, and scale with purpose. Guy is driven by a mission to "guide your strategy one success at a time." As a Fractional COO, he specializes in helping business owners manage day-to-day operations effectively without breaking the bank, allowing them to concentrate on the core aspects of their business. Through his firm, Barretta Consulting, he offers tailored solutions in marketing, strategy, and operations, aiming to deliver measurable results for clients ranging from small businesses to large corporations, including non-profits and government agencies. Barretta's commitment to transparency and collaboration ensures that each engagement is customized to address the unique challenges and goals of his clients.

Specialties: Small business, founder coaching, org design, leadership operations

Karina Mikhli

Known for her ability to optimize systems and streamline operations, Karina Mikhli is a fractional COO and workflow consultant who excels at helping companies scale smartly. With over 20 years of experience across multiple industries, she transforms potential through systematic improvement.

‍Specialties: Professional services, SaaS, process optimization, operations management, team development

Fun Fact: In additional to being a fractional COO and workflow consultant, Karina is also the Founder of Fractionals United, an online community for fractional leaders.

Julie Coin

https://fractionalcoo.nyc/about

Julie Coin is a standout among NYC fractional operators, combining decades of executive experience with a sharp instinct for operational growth. Through her platform FractionalCOO.NYC, she partners with founders to scale operations and create foundational stability.

Specialties: DTC, SaaS, B2B, executive team development, GTM strategy

Eunice Torres

https://efficientedgestrategies.com/

Founder of Efficient Edge Strategies, Eunice Torres brings clarity and structure to founder-led companies ready to operationalize their next phase. With a background in operations and product strategy, Eunice helps teams become more aligned and efficient.

Specialties: SaaS, legal tech, cross-functional operations, scaling systems

Eric Friedman

https://www.ericgfriedman.com/

A seasoned startup veteran, Eric Friedman offers fractional COO and strategic advisory services to early- and mid-stage companies. He’s a go-to operator for venture-backed firms in search of executional rigor and founder support.

Specialties: SaaS, fintech, venture-backed startups, scaling teams, investor alignment

Shaun Arora

https://www.mythreerocks.co/coo

Operating through My Three Rocks, Shaun Arora delivers fractional COO services designed around values-first growth. He helps mission-driven companies align purpose, process, and people.

Specialties: Manufacturing, CPG, team culture, revenue operations

Nicole Coutu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-coutu-19008513/

Nicole Coutu is an experienced operational leader with a strong track record in building scalable infrastructure and high-performing teams. She brings a calm, strategic approach to fast-paced environments.

Specialties: Retail, logistics, growth-stage operations, B2B services

Abigail Keene-Babcock

Abigail’s Profile

With a background in fashion and brand management, Abigail Keene-Babcock offers fractional COO support with a deep understanding of creative operations and strategic alignment.

Specialties: Fashion, DTC, marketing ops, launch planning

Micah Boster

https://www.nighthawkadvisors.com/

Micah Boster is the founder of Nighthawk Advisors, a boutique firm providing fractional COO services and strategic consulting. He focuses on removing blockers and enabling founders to lead.

Specialties: SaaS, go-to-market ops, startup scaling, revenue modeling

Maxine Litre

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxine-litre/

A senior operator with strong credentials in strategy and execution, Maxine Litre supports high-growth organizations with a blend of operational insight and financial acumen.

Specialties: Media, professional services, HR systems, finance operations

Adi Vaxman

https://shebaconsulting.com/

As founder of Sheba Consulting, Adi Vaxman leads a team of fractional executives offering COO and CFO services. Her collaborative approach helps companies turn strategy into repeatable action.

Specialties: SaaS, B2B services, healthcare, systems implementation

Alexandra Satine

https://www.yourcohort.co/

Founder of Your Cohort, Alexandra Satine offers fractional COO services through a people-first, systems-savvy lens. She supports high-growth startups and creative firms in building scalable, human-centered operations.

Specialties: Creative agencies, wellness brands, B2B marketing ops

Olivia Lange

https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-lange-bab1ab20/

Olivia Lange brings operational leadership to creative companies, helping founders align business processes with creative vision. Her calm, confident approach makes her a favorite among agency teams.

Specialties: Creative ops, agency workflow, team building, client delivery systems

Scott Starrett

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-michael-starrett/

A systems thinker and operational architect, Scott Starrett works with purpose-driven organizations to streamline operations and scale impact. His work spans political orgs, nonprofits, and early-stage ventures.

Specialties: Civic tech, nonprofit ops, startup ecosystems, operational efficiency

Why Fractional COOs Are Thriving in NYC

New York City’s diverse and fast-paced business environment is tailor-made for fractional leadership. Founders are seeking:

• Hands-on operators who can jump in without a long ramp-up
• Scalable support that doesn’t break the budget
• Strategic partners who can turn ideas into implementation
• Executives who’ve seen it before—and know what works

From venture-backed SaaS startups in SoHo to e-commerce brands in Brooklyn and media firms in Jersey City, the demand for embedded, trusted, flexible operators is only growing.

The Digital Reference Lens

At Digital Reference, we’re not just surfacing names—we’re changing how executive talent is discovered, evaluated, and celebrated. Our platform enables fractional leaders to:

• Capture structured accomplishments
• Collect portable, verified references
• Present their work with radical authenticity

Guides like this are part of our broader mission: to make the talent ecosystem more transparent, more human, and more efficient. A few more guides worth looking into:

• Best Platforms to Hire Fractional COOs
• Full Directory of Local Fractional COO Listings
• Best Communities for Operations Professionals

We believe the future of work doesn’t live in resumes—it lives in reputation, results, and relationships.

Final Thoughts

As companies in NYC and beyond rethink how they build leadership teams, fractional COOs are no longer a secret weapon—they’re a strategic imperative.

Whether you’re stabilizing chaos, launching new initiatives, or preparing for your next round, these leaders can help you get there—on time and with confidence.

Explore their work. Reach out. And when you’re ready to build better, start with Digital Reference.

– The Digital Reference Team

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