I’m a Fractional CMO who helps B2B companies scale smarter. With over 25 years of marketing experience—including 14 years as a CMO-in-Residence—I partner with startups, mid-market firms, and nonprofits to sharpen positioning, accelerate growth, and build resilient teams. What sets me apart is the dual lens of CMO strategy and COO discipline. I’ve built seven-figure pipelines, cut go-to-market cycles in half, reduced acquisition costs, and launched AI-driven products. I also bring board-level leadership and cultural intelligence, ensuring growth strategies are not only effective but sustainable. I’ve partnered with global leaders like Amazon, Braze, and Twilio/SendGrid; SaaS challengers like Smartling and Creative Virtual; and high-growth startups including Fivetran and CareAcademy. Beyond client work, I founded Really Good Intros, a visibility platform for overlooked talent, and co-host The E Word podcast on leadership, culture, and power. Employment and project experience Founder & Fractional CMO — Kaye Media 2011 – Present Partner with scaling companies as a CMO-in-Residence to accelerate growth, refine positioning, and build marketing infrastructure. President — AMA Professional Chapters Council (American Marketing Association) 2024 – 2025 Led national strategy, operations, and leadership development across professional marketing chapters. Board Director — Hudson Valley Credit Union 2021 – Present Chair, Compensation & Benefits Committee; governance and executive oversight for $8B institution. Fractional CMO Engagements (selected clients) Fivetran, Smartling, Creative Virtual, CareAcademy, Knowable (LexisNexis), Amazon, Braze, Twilio/SendGrid

Karen K. McFarlane

I’m a Fractional CMO who helps B2B companies scale smarter. With over 25 years of marketing experience—including 14 years as a CMO-in-Residence—I partner with startups, mid-market firms, and nonprofits to sharpen positioning, accelerate growth, and build resilient teams. What sets me apart is the dual lens of CMO strategy and COO discipline. I’ve built seven-figure pipelines, cut go-to-market cycles in half, reduced acquisition costs, and launched AI-driven products. I also bring board-level leadership and cultural intelligence, ensuring growth strategies are not only effective but sustainable. I’ve partnered with global leaders like Amazon, Braze, and Twilio/SendGrid; SaaS challengers like Smartling and Creative Virtual; and high-growth startups including Fivetran and CareAcademy. Beyond client work, I founded Really Good Intros, a visibility platform for overlooked talent, and co-host The E Word podcast on leadership, culture, and power. Employment and project experience Founder & Fractional CMO — Kaye Media 2011 – Present Partner with scaling companies as a CMO-in-Residence to accelerate growth, refine positioning, and build marketing infrastructure. President — AMA Professional Chapters Council (American Marketing Association) 2024 – 2025 Led national strategy, operations, and leadership development across professional marketing chapters. Board Director — Hudson Valley Credit Union 2021 – Present Chair, Compensation & Benefits Committee; governance and executive oversight for $8B institution. Fractional CMO Engagements (selected clients) Fivetran, Smartling, Creative Virtual, CareAcademy, Knowable (LexisNexis), Amazon, Braze, Twilio/SendGrid

Available to hire

I’m a Fractional CMO who helps B2B companies scale smarter. With over 25 years of marketing experience—including 14 years as a CMO-in-Residence—I partner with startups, mid-market firms, and nonprofits to sharpen positioning, accelerate growth, and build resilient teams.

What sets me apart is the dual lens of CMO strategy and COO discipline. I’ve built seven-figure pipelines, cut go-to-market cycles in half, reduced acquisition costs, and launched AI-driven products. I also bring board-level leadership and cultural intelligence, ensuring growth strategies are not only effective but sustainable.

I’ve partnered with global leaders like Amazon, Braze, and Twilio/SendGrid; SaaS challengers like Smartling and Creative Virtual; and high-growth startups including Fivetran and CareAcademy. Beyond client work, I founded Really Good Intros, a visibility platform for overlooked talent, and co-host The E Word podcast on leadership, culture, and power.

Employment and project experience

Founder & Fractional CMO — Kaye Media
2011 – Present
Partner with scaling companies as a CMO-in-Residence to accelerate growth, refine positioning, and build marketing infrastructure.

President — AMA Professional Chapters Council (American Marketing Association)
2024 – 2025
Led national strategy, operations, and leadership development across professional marketing chapters.

Board Director — Hudson Valley Credit Union
2021 – Present
Chair, Compensation & Benefits Committee; governance and executive oversight for $8B institution.

Fractional CMO Engagements (selected clients)
Fivetran, Smartling, Creative Virtual, CareAcademy, Knowable (LexisNexis), Amazon, Braze, Twilio/SendGrid

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder & CMO at Kaye Media Partners
July 1, 1999 - Present
Fractional CMO leading go-to-market strategy, demand generation, and brand transformation for growth-stage and enterprise B2B companies. Specializing in building marketing engines from scratch, repositioning underperforming brands, and scaling systems that drive measurable pipeline and revenue.
Global Marketing Director, Demand Generation at Return Path
January 1, 2007 - June 1, 2011
Led demand generation and centralized creative teams for an email technology company. Increased sales-qualified leads by 52% through advanced marketing automation strategies, contributing 35% of total revenue through marketing-driven initiatives. Launched industry-first conferences and product suites, generating millions in new/recurring revenue.

Education

MBA, Marketing at American Intercontinental University
January 11, 2030 - September 29, 2025
BS, Communications at New York University
January 11, 2030 - September 29, 2025

Qualifications

Corporate Governance – Columbia Business School
January 11, 2030 - September 29, 2025
Directorship Certification – National Association of Corporate Directors
July 27, 2024 - July 27, 2026
Executive Compensation – The Wharton School
January 11, 2030 - September 29, 2025
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Management – NYU
January 11, 2030 - September 29, 2025
Mastering Negotiation & Influence – MIT
January 11, 2030 - September 29, 2025

Industry Experience

Professional Services, Software & Internet, Media & Entertainment, Other, Financial Services, Non-Profit Organization, Education