Fractional Executive for Early-Stage Tech Companies
A Senior Operator for Founders Doing It All
I join your startup as an experienced executive, landing partners and pilots, raising money, and keeping the business running smoothly, so you can focus on leading the company.
Most founders call me when there is too much on their plate, balls are starting to drop, and they know they need help, but are not sure what kind.
Ways to Work Together
Fractional Executive
Fixed-Fee Project
Advisory for Service Businesses
Selected Work
Built and Ran It
Building a National Accelerator From Launch to Follow-On Funding
Founder and Manager, ELLA, York University
The Situation: York University needed a program to help women-led businesses scale. ELLA launched ten days before the 2020 lockdown.
What I Did: Rebuilt delivery within a week so founders kept access to advisors, programming and peers. I grew two regional programs into three national programs, ran a $1M annual budget, and built a fractional executive program for founders of scaling companies.
Results: Nearly 2,700 founders supported, whose ventures generated $33.8M in revenue, raised $13M, and created 223 jobs since 2020. ELLA earned two national awards and was one of seven programs in Canada to receive follow-on funding in 2023.
Operational Turnarounds for Hospitality and Healthcare Leaders
Operations Consultant, Carpedia International
The Situation: Companies including The Ritz-Carlton, Dynacare, and Rich's Products needed to improve financial and operational performance.
What I Did: Worked on site to analyze processes and conduct resource planning, then implemented changes to processes, training, and reporting systems.
Results: Continuous improvement programs that saved clients millions of dollars a year.
Earlier roles include leading Ontario's Red Tape Challenge, which cut business compliance costs by $100M+ across 13 ministries, managing national programs for AMEX Bank of Canada and Ontario's Ministry of Health, conducting due diligence and investment assessments for angel funds, and nearly 6 years advocating to all three levels of government with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. More on my About page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a fractional executive do?
A fractional executive is a senior leader who joins your company part-time and takes ownership of a defined area of the business, with the same accountability as a full-time executive. Depending on what your company needs most, that can be partnership development, revenue growth, fundraising, or operations work. The work is hands-on: setting priorities with you, doing the work, and reporting on progress. For a growing tech company, it is a way to get senior experience and a sounding board without the executive price tag.
How is a fractional executive different from a consultant?
A consultant typically advises from outside the business and hands over recommendations. A fractional executive works inside your company and is accountable for implementing the work. As your fractional executive, I take ownership of priorities and results, work directly with you, your team, and your partners, and adjust as things change. If you want one defined piece of work without an ongoing role, a fixed-fee project is the better fit.
How much time does a fractional engagement take?
The time commitment depends on what I own and what your company needs. We will work through scoping together where we agree on the level of involvement, how we will meet, and how progress is reported. Because the engagement runs on a monthly retainer, your costs are predictable, and the commitment can be revisited as your needs change.
What is the minimum commitment?
Fractional engagements have a six-month minimum. Building partnerships, pipeline, or funding takes time to show results, and six months gives the work enough runway to produce measurable progress. If you would rather start with something more contained, a fixed-fee project focused on one deliverable is a good first step.
When does a fractional executive make more sense than a full-time hire?
A fractional executive makes sense when you need senior help now, but are not ready to carry a full-time executive salary. You get experienced help in the areas that matter most, and you only pay for the time your company needs. It also clarifies what a future full-time role should look like, so when you are ready to hire, you know what to hire for.
Can you help an international company enter the Canadian market?
Yes. I currently lead business development and North American market expansion for PRAAMS, a European AI-powered wealth-tech platform, through my role at Layer 7 Innovations. Market entry work covers choosing the right first segment, positioning the offer for Canadian and North American buyers, and building partner and institutional relationships. I also help Canadian companies expand into Europe.
Let's Talk About Where You Need Support
Book a complimentary call. We will look at where your time is going, where growth is stalling, and whether a fractional role or a fixed-fee project makes sense.
