9. Fractional Leadership: Expectations vs. Reality with Lynn Ducharme

Fractional leadership is often misunderstood — and it’s quickly becoming one of the most powerful models shaping the future of work in food, beverage, and CPG.

In this episode of Women Who Make It, Angela sits down with Lynn Ducharme, a seasoned recruiter and industry insider, to unpack why senior women aren’t opting out of the workforce — they’re opting out of broken systems. Together, they explore what’s driving the rise of fractional executives, what companies are actually hiring for, and where both sides get it wrong.

Lynn shares candid insights on why execution matters more than titles, why trust isn’t transferable, and why fractional leadership is anything but the “easy” path. They also discuss how looming retirements, talent shortages, and razor-thin margins are accelerating demand for fractional expertise across operations, R&D, and commercial leadership.

If you’re considering fractional work — or thinking about hiring fractional talent — this episode offers a clear, honest look at what it really takes to make it work.

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