Executive Search for the People Behind the People.
At Buffkin / Baker, we help CEOs, boards, and CHROs find top People and HR leaders who drive enterprise-level change. Our expertise lies in understanding how culture, capability and business strategy connect. With access to one of the most extensive global networks of HR and People executives, we identify leaders who spark innovation, build resilient teams, and foster thriving workplaces.
Trusted by CHROs and People Teams across Healthcare, Higher Ed, Consumer, and Private Equity.
Redefining HR Leadership
With hybrid work, evolving talent expectations, a rapidly shifting technical landscape, and rising demands for high-performance, HR leadership has never been more critical, or more complex.
At Buffkin / Baker, we help organizations secure CHROs and People executives who bring both strategic foresight and operational rigor. Leaders who turn workforce challenges into competitive advantage.
We specialize in addressing:
- Executive-level vacancies in HR and People leadership
- Culture misalignment or persistent leadership turnover
- Gaps in succession planning for key HR and People roles
- Increasing pressure to foster inclusive, engaged, and high-performing workplaces
When the right HR leadership is in place, everything changes.
Engagement grows, culture stabilizes, and business performance improves.
The Search Partner of Choice for HR and People Leaders
Partner-Led. People-Focused. Proven Results.
At Buffkin / Baker, every search is led by a partner with deep expertise in hu man resources and organizational leadership. We take the time to understand your business strategy, cultural dynamics, and leadership needs. This approach ensures every placement is aligned with your organization’s mission, values, and long-term goals, ensuring seamless transitions and ongoing organizational success.
What sets us apart:
- Partner-led execution from strategy to successful placement
- Deep specialization across CHRO, People, and HR executive roles, from Talent to Total Rewards
- Expansive evaluation of leadership impact and cultural alignment
- 99% search completion rate and 92% executive retention at the three-year mark
Buffkin / Baker Thought Leadership
Total Rewards used to be one of the more predictable HR searches. The scorecard was clear: benefits strategy, compensation benchmarking, some equity design, a steady hand on open enrollment. That scorecard no longer describes the job. Pay transparency laws, public salary bands, and an internal workforce that now compares notes in real time have turned […]
...Recruiters read thousands of resumes over the course of their careers, and the best ones make it easy to understand who a candidate is and what they can offer. It is in how well the resume presents the value of that experience. Usually, the difference is not a candidate’s experience, education, or talent. It is […]
...Former Meijer EVP Peter Whitsett sat down with Partner Kevin Duffy at Buffkin / Baker on what the data cannot tell a merchant, and why he has always bet on people over experience. Peter Whitsett has spent 40 years doing the work that decides what ends up on a shelf, and he has done it on […]
...Ask a board to describe the technology leader they need, and the conversation usually starts with a title. We need a CIO. We need a CTO. Maybe a Chief Product Officer. Ask what the person will actually own, and the conversation gets harder. Does the CTO own the product roadmap, or does that sit with […]
...-By David Alexander Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of serving as a senior human resources executive in some of the world’s largest and most admired companies. One lesson consistently stood out: Organizations invest enormous amounts of time and resources in selecting the right leaders—but often far too little in […]
...A veteran talent and culture executive on why most HR organizations are further behind on AI than they think, and how focused leaders can start making real progress. Jaison Williams has spent more than 20 years bridging business goals and human capability, with leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies including Warner Bros. Discovery, Expedia Group, […]
...Our Process: Strategic. Transparent. Built for Impact.
Discovery & Alignment
We begin with an in-depth consultation to understand your organizational culture, leadership dynamics, and business objectives, establishing the criteria for a successful hire.
Candidate Engagement & Evaluation
We engage top-tier candidates through a high-touch, transparent process combining rigorous evaluation with clear communication to ensure alignment on both sides.
Research & Targeting
Leveraging our experience and extensive network, we identify executive-caliber HR and People leaders with the experience, insight, and cultural fit to thrive in your environment.
Candidate Engagement & Evaluation
We engage top-tier candidates through a high-touch, transparent process combining rigorous evaluation with clear communication to ensure alignment on both sides.
We don’t just fill roles.
We build leadership capacity that lasts.
Our Results Speak for Themselves
99%
Search Completion Rate
92%
Retention Rate (after 3 years)
100%
Repeat Clients across industries
Ready to Elevate Your HR Leadership?
From CHRO to Total Rewards, we help organizations secure the HR and People executives who drive culture, performance, and growth. Every search is partner-led, insight-driven, and tailored to your unique needs.
Let’s start with a conversation. We’ll listen, learn, and explore how Buffkin / Baker can support your leadership goals.
Address
Nashville, TN
10 Cadillac Drive,
Suite 190,
Brentwood, TN 37027
Locations
Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Boston, MA
Charlotte, NC
Chattanooga, TN
Cleveland, OH
Kansas City, MO
Los Angeles, CA
Nashville, TN
New York, NY
Seattle, WA
St. Simons Island, GA
Tampa, FL
Washington, DC
Winston-Salem, NC