Authentic® Announces Strategic Leadership Expansion to Fuel Rapid Growth in 2026
Firm Welcomes Chief Client Officer and Two Fractional CMOs as Demand for Strategic Marketing Leadership Accelerates
Minneapolis, Minnesota — March 20, 2026 — Authentic®, a national fractional CMO and marketing transformation firm, announced today the addition of new executive leadership and senior marketing talent as the company continues its rapid growth in early 2026. The firm has appointed Kristi Gloppen as Chief Client Officer and welcomed two experienced fractional Chief Marketing Officers—Sue Rodeman and Jessica Bartell—to its growing team of strategic marketing leaders.
These additions come at a time of significant momentum for Authentic as more founder-led, growth-stage, and private equity-backed companies seek senior-level marketing leadership to drive the growth of their company.
Strengthening Client Leadership
As Chief Client Officer, Kristi Gloppen will lead Authentic’s client experience strategy, ensuring that the firm continues to deliver exceptional outcomes for its expanding portfolio of clients. In this role, Gloppen will focus on deepening client relationships, strengthening delivery consistency, and scaling Authentic’s impact across its national client base.
“Kristi brings an extraordinary ability to connect sales and marketing strategy with meaningful client outcomes,” said Jennifer Zick, Founder and CEO of Authentic. “Her leadership will help us continue raising the bar for what clients can expect from strategic marketing partnership.”
Expanding the Fractional CMO Community
Authentic has also added two seasoned marketing leaders to its fractional CMO team:
- Jessica Bartell – A data-informed marketing executive with deep expertise in professional services and manufacturing industries.
- Sue Rodeman – A strategic marketing executive with extensive experience in SaaS, technology, education, and professional services organizations.
These additions expand Authentic’s community of experienced CMOs who work directly with client leadership teams to build scalable marketing systems and drive sustained growth.
“Authentic’s model continues to attract incredible marketing leaders who want to make a meaningful impact with growing companies,” said Meg Van Sloun, Chief Operating Officer. “Sue and Jessica bring diverse industry experience and strategic depth that will strengthen our ability to serve clients at the highest level.”
Meeting Growing Demand for Fractional Marketing Leadership
Since its founding in 2017, Authentic has pioneered the fractional CMO model, providing organizations with senior-level marketing leadership, structured methodology, and a collaborative community of executives.
As demand for strategic marketing leadership continues to grow, Authentic’s investment in client leadership and senior marketing talent positions the firm to serve more organizations seeking to build mature marketing functions that drive measurable growth.
About Authentic®
Authentic® is a national fractional CMO and marketing transformation firm serving growth-stage, founder-led, and private equity-backed companies across the United States. Founded in 2017, the firm pioneered a scalable model for delivering senior-level marketing leadership without the risk, limitations, or overhead burden of a full-time executive hire.
Through its proprietary framework, Authentic helps organizations Overcome Random Acts of Marketing® by aligning strategy, leadership, and execution. Its model combines experienced fractional CMOs, structured marketing methodology, and a collaborative community of executives to build mature marketing functions that drive measurable growth and increase transferable enterprise value.
Authentic serves clients across diverse industries and is recognized for elevating marketing from a tactical function to a strategic growth engine.
Learn more at authenticbrand.com
Media Contact
Brita Hammer
Marketing Manager
brita.hammer@authenticbrand.com
612-808-6300
authenticbrand.com
