Fractional CROs in Toronto Making Things Happen in 2025

Toronto Interim Chief Revenue Officers to Know

Toronto’s startup and innovation ecosystem is on the rise—and with that growth comes the need for sharp, adaptable leadership that doesn’t follow the traditional, long-term executive playbook. In today’s landscape, startups and scale-ups need senior revenue leadership now, but often can’t (or shouldn’t) wait for a full-time hire. That’s where Fractional Chief Revenue Officers (CROs) step in.

At Digital Reference, we specialize in identifying the operators who are quietly shaping how modern companies run—especially in under-the-radar markets like Canada. This post is part of our growing effort to map out who’s leading the charge in the fractional executive economy, city by city. In this edition, we highlight a curated list of Toronto-based Fractional CROs making things happen.

These are not general consultants. They are embedded, accountable, and often working shoulder-to-shoulder with founders, aligning go-to-market (GTM) efforts and building the sales engines that power revenue.

Our Methodology

This isn’t a list you can pull from LinkedIn alone. It’s the result of direct research, ongoing tracking of fractional operators, and conversations with founders, investors, and ecosystem insiders. We looked for:

• Proximity: Professionals actively operating in Toronto and the surrounding region
• Relevance: Experience as fractional, interim, or embedded CROs or GTM advisors
• Credibility: Demonstrated success in past revenue leadership roles
• Access: Solo operators or boutique firm leads, actively taking on clients

This list is not exhaustive, but it is curated. We see this as a living snapshot of the Toronto revenue leadership scene—and yes, we plan to update it.

Meet the Fractional CROs Driving Growth in Toronto

Nick Tharrenos

LinkedIn Profile

Nick Tharrenos is a data-driven fractional CRO with a strong foundation in sales operations, GTM execution, and scaling early-stage revenue teams. His background spans technology, SaaS, and fintech sectors, making him a versatile partner for founders navigating their first major revenue milestones.

Nick brings an analytical lens to his engagements, emphasizing clear KPIs, team enablement, and systems thinking. He has a reputation for helping teams go from reactive to proactive—mapping out buyer journeys, tightening messaging, and getting early GTM hires pointed in the right direction.

Whether you’re pre-Series A or approaching a critical growth phase, Nick’s approach blends structure with adaptability, making him a trusted guide for Toronto startups looking to build scalable sales motion.

Hugh Ghods

LinkedIn Profile

Hugh Ghods is a veteran GTM operator and fractional CRO with a deep track record in enterprise sales and complex deal cycles. Known for his strategic clarity and hands-on leadership style, Hugh helps growth-stage companies identify friction in their revenue engines and unlock scalable growth.

Based in Toronto, Hugh is deeply embedded in the region’s tech ecosystem and brings a cross-border lens to his work, helping Canadian companies expand into U.S. and global markets. He has led GTM functions across SaaS, B2B platforms, and emerging tech sectors, and he’s particularly effective in aligning product, marketing, and sales around a shared revenue vision.

For founders dealing with long sales cycles, shifting customer needs, or investor pressure to show traction, Hugh brings the playbooks and leadership needed to level up fast.

Why Fractional CROs Matter in 2025

We’re witnessing a quiet shift in how companies hire senior leaders. In uncertain markets and resource-constrained environments, fractional hiring is becoming a go-to strategy for startups and mid-sized businesses alike. The role of the CRO has become especially complex, sitting at the intersection of sales, marketing, customer success, and strategy. That complexity demands experience—but not always full-time.

Hiring a fractional CRO offers several key advantages:

• Speed: Skip the 4-6 month executive search cycle
• Experience: Get senior leadership with relevant pattern recognition
• Flexibility: Adjust scope as the business evolves
• Execution: Drive real outcomes, not just advice

And when the person you hire is local, you get the added benefit of shared context, cultural alignment, and often, a stronger sense of commitment. That’s why we believe in highlighting regional talent pools—and Toronto is full of it.

Digital Reference: Why We Do This

At Digital Reference, we believe the way companies access talent is being rewritten. The rise of independent executives, fractional leaders, and flexible talent models is not a fad—it’s a rebalancing of how work gets done.

Our platform exists to provide visibility into the talent reshaping industries from the inside out. We publish curated lists, deep dives, and talent stack reports to help founders, operators, and boards find the right leaders at the right time.

Want to go deeper? Check out these companion resources:

• How to Hire a Fractional Executive: Our practical guide to scoping, hiring, and onboarding fractional talent.

If you’re a Toronto-based founder, operator, or investor looking to solve for revenue leadership—this list is a place to start.

Looking Ahead

As more founders explore flexible models of leadership, we expect the fractional CRO market in Toronto to keep growing. And as it does, we’ll keep updating this list to reflect who’s really making things happen.

If you are a fractional CRO operating in Toronto (or know someone who should be on this list), let us know. Digital Reference is committed to lifting up the operators who make modern business work—not just the loudest voices, but the ones doing the real building.

Digital Reference is your backstage pass to the evolving world of professional talent. We specialize in uncovering the leaders behind the scenes—the independents, the fractionals, the advisors who are helping the next wave of companies scale with intention.

Stay tuned as we expand our regional lists and deepen our editorial library.

Until then: if you’re looking for a CRO in Toronto, now you know where to start.

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