What Is a Fractional Executive — and When Should You Hire One?

📅 Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 🕙 10:00 – 10:30 AM

📍 Connector Suites, Convergence Centre (999 Collip Circle)

☕ Free to attend – includes coffee and treats from Black Walnut Bakery Cafe

Kindly RSVP here

Session Overview:
Startups scaling toward a liquidity event often hit a leadership gap—big goals, limited executive bandwidth, and no room for hiring mistakes. Enter the fractional executive. In this session, we’ll unpack what fractional leaders really do, how they drive measurable value, and when to bring them in as strategic partners to accelerate scale and prepare for acquisition or IPO. Whether in marketing, operations, or talent strategy, the right fractional leader can bridge capability gaps and boost your company’s exit-readiness.

Key Takeaways:

• What defines a fractional executive — and how they differ from consultants or interim hires
• Key inflection points when fractional leadership drives the most ROI
• How to structure fractional roles with clear KPIs, outcomes, and transition plans
• Case studies on how fractional executives have helped startups increase valuation and smooth due diligence
• What investors look for in leadership as part of exit-readiness

About the Summer Series: Smarter Strategies for Startup Growth

Presented by Western Research Parks

This free, 10-part summer series is designed to help early-stage teams in biotech, medtech, and innovation-driven sectors scale with confidence. Each 30-minute session covers a strategic growth topic — from working with Big Tech and hiring smart to building brand and securing funding.

Join us Wednesdays at 10 AM, July 9 to September 10, 2025. Register for the full journey or pick the sessions that match your goals.

🧠 Explore the full series: Click here to view all sessions

📩 Questions? Contact us here.

About the Speaker

Stefanie Curtis (Pace Creative) – Stefanie Curtis is CEO of Pace Creative, a full-service marcom agency for scale ups and a seasoned fractional CMO with over 19 years of experience guiding startups through growth strategy, brand positioning, and operational scaling. She has helped numerous venture-backed companies across healthcare, tech, and social impact sectors increase enterprise value and prepare for successful exits. Stefanie is a sought-after strategic partner for founders aiming to scale with precision, align marketing with investor expectations, and navigate the complexities of exit planning with confidence.

Next Session:

Session 9 – Your Employer Brand Is a Funding Asset — Here’s Why

With EA Clarke and Rebecca Hawman – Wednesday, September 3, 2025