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Episode 44: Anne Hoeger on Going from Engineer to Fractional CMO—Driving Growth & Leading Change
Episode 4425th March 2026 • The JOY CEO • Lori Pine
00:00:00 00:43:24

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Summary:

In this episode, I sit down with marketing expert Anne Hoeger to explore her fascinating journey from chemical engineering to fractional CMO—and everything she’s learned along the way. What struck me most is how marketing, especially in high-growth and private equity environments, is rarely just about campaigns—it’s about leading people through change. Anne shares how she steps into organizations not just to drive growth, but to reshape culture, upgrade talent, and build the systems that make transformation sustainable.

We also dive into the power of community and what it really takes to lead in today’s rapidly evolving landscape—especially with AI accelerating everything. Anne opens up about building SWIM (Savvy Women in Marketing) into a trusted executive network, and how mindfulness, intuition, and self-care aren’t extras—they’re essential for staying grounded and effective as a leader. This conversation is both strategic and deeply human, and it will leave you thinking differently about leadership, reinvention, and the rooms you choose to be in.


🔑 Key Takeaways:

Marketing Is Really Change Management

I learned that stepping into a marketing role—especially in private equity—often means guiding teams through uncertainty, fear, and transformation, not just executing strategy.

Audience follow-up → Where in your business are you being called to lead change—not just manage outcomes?

Close Gaps with “Build, Borrow, Buy”

Anne shares a simple but powerful framework: develop internal talent (build), bring in external experts (borrow), or hire new capabilities (buy).

Audience follow-up → Which capability gap in your team needs a build, borrow, or buy solution right now?

Transparency Reduces Resistance

Clear, stair-step plans and open communication help teams feel safe enough to embrace change—especially when it comes to adopting AI.

Audience follow-up → How can you make your next big initiative feel clearer and safer for your team?

AI Is a People Challenge, Not Just a Tech Shift

What excites me most is Anne’s perspective that AI adoption is less about tools and more about mindset, support, and agency.

Audience follow-up → How are you helping your team feel empowered—not threatened—by AI?

Community Is a Career Accelerator

Building SWIM over 17 years, Anne shows that curated, high-trust communities can unlock growth, opportunity, and perspective in ways no course or playbook can.

Audience follow-up → Are you in the right rooms—and are those rooms helping you grow?

Deep Roots Sustain Big Leadership

Mindfulness, intuition, and self-care aren’t luxuries—they’re what keep you steady through constant reinvention and high-stakes decisions.

Audience follow-up → What practices help you stay grounded when everything around you is changing?



🔎 Mentioned in the Episode:

SWIM (Savvy Women in Marketing) – Anne’s curated community for senior women in marketing, built on trust, connection, and shared growth.

Build, Borrow, Buy Framework – A practical approach to closing skill and capability gaps within teams.

AI Masterminds – Small, high-value groups focused on learning, experimenting, and staying ahead of rapid tech shifts.

Fractional CMO Model – A flexible leadership approach where experienced executives step in to drive transformation without being full-time hires.


Reflection Prompts:

  1. Where in your career are you being asked to reinvent yourself right now?
  2. Are you leading change… or resisting it?
  3. What kind of community would most support your next level of growth?
  4. How are you taking care of yourself while leading others through uncertainty?


🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

  1. Founders and executives navigating growth, transformation, or private equity environments
  2. Marketing leaders looking to elevate from execution to strategic influence
  3. Women who want to build meaningful, high-level communities and networks
  4. Professionals learning to lead through AI, change, and constant reinvention

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation

  1. Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.com

  2. ✨ Connect with Anne:
  3. Ann Hoeger | LinkedIn

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📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace

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