Meg VanderLaan
Denver, Colorado
Overview
I help organizations unlock growth by clarifying their story, aligning stakeholders, and building marketing programs that scale. I am particularly drawn to organizations with strong capabilities and untapped opportunity, as well as those navigating periods of transition. Today, I work with CEOs and executive teams as a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer with Chief Outsiders, helping companies accelerate revenue growth, strengthen market presence, and translate complex capabilities into compelling market narratives. Throughout my career, CEOs have asked for my help when growth has stalled
About
I help organizations unlock growth by clarifying their story, aligning stakeholders, and building marketing programs that scale. I am particularly drawn to organizations with strong capabilities and untapped opportunity, as well as those navigating periods of transition. Today, I work with CEOs and executive teams as a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer with Chief Outsiders, helping companies accelerate revenue growth, strengthen market presence, and translate complex capabilities into compelling market narratives. Throughout my career, CEOs have asked for my help when growth has stalled or when organizations believed they were the best in their industry but their story was not fully understood in the marketplace. I uncover and activate that value by building scalable marketing programs that drive growth, particularly in the industrial, engineering, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors. My experience includes executive leadership roles at Encore Electric, MWH Global (now Stantec), and Gates Corporation, where I guided organizations through complex growth and communications challenges. • As Chief Marketing Officer of Encore Electric, I strengthened brand positioning while driving internal alignment and enhancing crisis preparedness. During my tenure, the company nearly doubled in revenue and employee count. • As Chief Communications Officer and SVP at MWH Global, I led the global brand narrative and acquisition communications during its $793M acquisition by Stantec. Recognized for expertise in reputation and crisis management, I have orchestrated complex communications strategies through geopolitical events, cybersecurity planning, and high-profile public campaigns, including a documentary on the Panama Canal expansion that aired on the History Channel. My board service spans nonprofit, higher education, and international joint venture boards, providing cross-cultural governance experience and a stakeholder-first perspective. My expertise includes regulatory advocacy, branding, and transformational change communications. Known for building trust in high-stakes environments, I bring executive insight and practical perspective to boards navigating reputation risk, workforce strategy, and market positioning. I welcome conversations with CEOs, executive teams, and boards seeking to unlock growth and better align strategy, reputation, and brand with market opportunity.