In today’s competitive landscape, the value of technological capabilities has surged, providing organizations with a crucial advantage. As the complexity of technology and data continues to escalate, companies are challenged to innovate and deliver cutting-edge solutions. This evolution necessitates transformational leadership that comprehends the multifaceted digital landscape and is adaptable for future demands. Established firms require senior executives who can drive transformation and navigate disruption, while emerging digital enterprises seek experienced leaders to facilitate profitable growth.
A profound understanding of the digital realm is essential for today’s leaders as they redefine business models and strategies. With technology reshaping our lives, the ideal leader is equipped to craft innovative solutions and strategies while remaining committed to the company’s mission.
At Buffkin/Baker, our Technology/Digital Practice employs a personalized approach, leveraging an extensive network to tailor searches that align with our clients’ unique requirements. We offer expert insights to identify talent that brings fresh perspectives, aligning strategy, growth, and innovation. Our global reach and vast experience provide unparalleled access to executive leaders who excel in technology and deliver significant value to organizations. Through a proven methodology and deep industry expertise, we consistently present a diverse slate of candidates who are well-suited for both the role and the organizational culture.
Our Team in Technology/Digital
Tom Wilson
Partner
Tom Wilson
Partner
Tom Wilson is a Partner and Practice Leader, where he collaborates closely with CEOs and Boards of prominent biotechnology, high-tech, and Fortune 500 companies to identify HR needs and conduct essential HR leadership searches. His notable clients include Alphabet, Intel, Northwestern Mutual, StockX, Qualtrics, Interactive Brokers, Mozilla, ServiceNow, Kraken, Ford, Samsung, Mars, Rakuten, and Health Equity, among others.
As an internationally recognized thought leader in human resources (HR) management and retained executive search, Tom contributes to various industry publications. He is celebrated for his strategic leadership, global expertise across diverse industries, ability to forge strong partnerships, comprehensive planning, and precise execution.
A Fulbright Scholar, Tom holds an M.A. from the University of Toronto and a B.A. from Penn State. He began his professional journey in retained executive search with Sullivan & Company, now part of Heidrick & Struggles. He has previously held senior executive positions in global talent acquisition and human resources at leading firms in the financial services sector. Tom is married to Barbara, a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Email:tomw@buffkinbaker.com
Beth Ann Namey
Partner
Beth Ann Namey
Partner
Beth Ann Namey is a Partner and a highly skilled executive search consultant specializing in HR and People functions. She has a proven track record of success in collaborating with innovative startups and established enterprises across diverse sectors. Her keen ability to understand the unique needs of organizations, identify top-tier talent, and deliver exceptional results makes her an invaluable partner for clients aiming to build high-performing teams. Beth Ann has successfully conducted numerous HR leadership searches for both U.S. and global companies, focusing on roles such as Chief Human Resource Officers, Chief People Officers, and Heads of People. She has also been instrumental in developing verticals in Talent, Total Rewards, and HR Business Partner functions, demonstrating her expertise in these critical areas.
Her impressive client roster includes notable companies like Workday, NuBank, Northwestern Mutual, Waymo, New Relic, X the moonshot factory, Western Digital, Rakuten USA, Profisee, Datavant, SeekOut, GRAIL, Clover Health, Peak Design, and Vuori. These organizations have relied on Beth Ann to deliver results, and her deep insights, assessment skills, and commitment to client satisfaction have established her as an indispensable asset in their talent acquisition strategies. Moreover, her unique combination of discipline and grace, cultivated during her early career as a professional ballet dancer and coach, distinguishes her in the executive search industry. This background has equipped Beth Ann with a sharp eye for detail and a profound understanding of the importance of adaptability and performance under pressure.
Beth Ann graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s College of California and is currently based in Nashville, TN.
- Email:bethann@buffkinbaker.com
Craig Buffkin
Managing Partner
Craig Buffkin
Managing Partner
Craig Buffkin, the firm’s founder, serves as the Managing Partner, and as Head of the Private Equity and Transformation Practices, where he is actively involved with client engagements and business development. He has completed search work at the board, executive and senior level both nationally and internationally for a wide range of private, public, venture-backed, and private equity-back companies.
Before founding The Buffkin Group, which would later become Buffkin/Baker, Craig was a director in a national technology search firm with five offices and over 75 consultants. Before entering the search profession, he spent over 5 years as a turnaround specialist and over 10 years in marketing services. His last turnaround became a roll-up of seven healthcare companies with an eventual sale to a large public healthcare entity.
Craig holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He and his wife Heather reside in Nashville, TN with their three children, Caroline, Charlie, and Francie. He is an avid golfer and fisherman.
- Email:craig@buffkinbaker.com
Jen Coleman
Partner
Jen Coleman
Partner
Jen Bradley serves as a Partner of the firm and is actively engaged in executive and senior-level assignments. She is actively involved in the firm’s Healthcare, Digital and Private Equity Practices.
Prior to her career in executive search, Jen was employed in Treasury Management with Fifth Third Bank where she was responsible for client presentations, analysis, and training of treasury products. Before moving into Treasury Management, Jen spent three years in Institutional Sales for Fifth Third Securities and also managed corporate seminars and customer relations, organized trade shows, and developed new marketing materials for the subsidiary.
Jen graduated with honors from Wittenberg University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She also holds an Advanced Certificate in Executive Search and Leadership Consulting from Cornell University, School of ILR. Originally from Ohio, Jen moved to Nashville in April of 2006. She is a 7-time marathoner and member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. She played collegiate volleyball and has continued her passion for the sport as a club volleyball coach. Jen resides in Nashville with her daughters, Kinsey and Libby.
- Email:jen@buffkinbaker.com
Ryan Baggett, CDR
Associate Partner
Ryan Baggett, CDR
Associate Partner
Ryan Baggett has been in engaged in executive search, recruitment, and business development for over 20 years and is based out of our Nashville office. Ryan is an Associate Partner within the firm, where he is a key member in Healthcare, Private Equity, Digital Transformation, Academic Medicine, Entertainment, and TMT practices. In addition, he is an AIRS Certified Diversity and Inclusion Recruiter (CDR), utilizing search techniques that enable him to locate diverse candidate pools using a variety of resources, including the internet.
He takes a highly professional and consultative approach with his clients and candidates, relating to clients and candidates as partners and maintaining communication with them long after he’s made a placement. He provides candid advice, market guidance, and consistent feedback throughout the recruiting and hiring process.
Ryan has conducted hundreds of searches in his career for the positions of CEO, COO, CFO, CIO, CTO, CMO, CAO, President, GM, and other senior-level roles nationally and internationally for a wide range of private, public, venture-backed, and private equity-backed companies.
Before joining Buffkin/Baker, Ryan was a national recruitment executive for Maxim Healthcare. Responsible for the full-cycle recruitment efforts, management of 100 healthcare professionals, payroll, compliance, and HR strategy. Before entering the recruitment and search industry, he worked in business development and management roles for Troon Golf. In addition, he planned and facilitated NCAA championships and PGA-sanctioned events.
- Email:ryan@buffkinbaker.com
Jim May
Associate Partner
Jim May
Associate Partner
Jim May is an Associate Partner at the firm, with an impressive career in executive recruiting that spans over a decade. He has established himself as a trusted advisor and a go-to resource for top-tier organizations seeking exceptional leadership talent.
A passionate advocate for human resources (HR) and organizational success, Jim possesses expertise in HR, Finance, Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies, Operations, and other critical leadership roles. This diverse skill set allows him to provide a unique blend of talent acquisition and strategic consulting in every search he undertakes.
Earlier in his career, Jim held various talent acquisition positions, further enhancing his capabilities. He has successfully conducted searches for both U.S. and global companies across a wide range of industries, including notable names such as lululemon, Grail, Quantcast, Bluberi Gaming, Kyverna Therapeutics, Synaptics, Sirona Medical, Datavant, Clover Health, Academy of Art University, Schneider Electric, and Total Quality Logistics.
Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising with a specialization in Communication Sales from Michigan State University and is a certified Professional Resume Writer. He currently resides in the Cleveland area with his wife, Kaitlyn, their son, Hudson, and their dog, Winnie. In his leisure time, Jim enjoys hiking in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park with his family or spending a day on the golf course.
- Email:jim@buffkinbaker.com
Jeannine Centanni, CTR
Principal
Jeannine Centanni, CTR
Principal
Jeannine Centanni serves as aPrincipal focusing on searches in our Digital Practice. Additionally, she is an AIRS Certified Technical Recruiter (CTR). Utilizing the AIRS search techniques helps recruiters understand technical recruiting and the sourcing landscape to support an effective IT recruiting strategy, from research to communicating with candidates.
Residing in Charlotte, NC, she comes to us with a diverse background, including experience in consumer products merchandising and marketing with both Maybelline and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products. She also has experience in human resources, training, and recruiting, and most recently worked in professional development with Cornell in the technology and data sciences verticals. Jeannine was born in New Jersey but has called Charlotte, NC home for the last 20 years. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a minor in Marketing. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports (especially football) and wandering through local festivals and farmers' markets with her three daughters.
Daniela Florez
Senior Associate
Daniela Florez
Senior Associate
Daniela Florez is a Senior Associate with the firm. As a key member of the Digital/Technology team, she collaborates with our internal team, our clients and our candidates on scheduling and establishing a point of contact between our search partners and clients, and facilitates interviews, ensuring action items are completed for a successful search process.
Some clients with whom she has worked and helped to close searches include Asana, Eberl Claims Service, ThoughtSpot and LeadVenture. Daniela first interned on the Frederickson Accounting and Administration team, where she supported back-office operations of the business.
Previously, she took part in a two-year cultural exchange au pair program that brought her to Menlo Park CA, where she lived with and supported a family with twins on lockdown during the pandemic, and earlier was a Production Engineer Intern in one of the most recognized food and coffee production companies in Colombia.
Daniela earned a B.S. with high honors in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de los Andes, one of the top universities in Colombia. She enjoys watching Netflix and finding new shows, spending time with her family and friends, exercise, and discovering new restaurants around the city.
- Email:daniela@buffkinbaker.com
Tracy Cai
Associate
Tracy Cai
Associate
Tracy Cai is an Associate who collaborates closely with the executive search team to coordinate interviews and meetings, generate ongoing search reports, and manage the candidate pipeline throughout the entire search process. She has played a pivotal role in successfully placing candidates at notable companies such as Newsela, Cartiga, Shutterfly, Clover Health, InfoTrack, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Rain Bird, and Blueberi Gaming.
Before her current position, Tracy served as a Human Resources Assistant at Takara Bio USA, where she supported the recruitment lifecycle and onboarding process while also enhancing employee engagement through the planning and execution of company and employee-focused events. Her previous roles include Office Administrator at Shifamed and Event Operations Assistant at SEMI. Additionally, she interned with the food program Bon Appetit at Google, also known as Food+ by Compass.
Tracy holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management with a minor in Business from San Jose State University. In her leisure time, she enjoys experimenting with new baking recipes, engaging in arts and crafts, and discovering new restaurants and places with friends. Looking ahead, she aspires to travel abroad and immerse herself in diverse cultures.
- Email:tracy@buffkinbaker.com
Adelina Idrizaj
Sr. Project Coordinator
Adelina Idrizaj
Sr. Project Coordinator
Adelina Idrizaj joined the Buffkin/Baker firm in November 2021. As a Sr. Project Coordinator, she works with our Digital Transformation Practice, supporting the tactical workflows and the needs ensuring search assignment deliverables are achieved. Adelina brings over six years of customer experience to the role. She previously worked as an Intern Case Planner at a foster care agency. A New York native, Adelina graduated from Lehman College in the Bronx with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and History with a minor in Aging. During her free time, she enjoys traveling and going on walks with her husband.
- Email:adelina@buffkinbaker.com
LeadersFirst Career Portal
As a retained, specialty boutique search firm leader, each partner in the firm has expertise in their respective fields and each has over a decade of retained search experience. Combined, our partners have over 200 years combined executive search experience and 210 years of operating experience with our partners. Our job as search professionals is to recruit leaders in Healthcare, Higher Education, Private Equity, Digital Transformation, Technology, Media & Telecom, and Non-Profit.
Our Digital Transformation Clients
Talk to Our Team
Contact our partner-led team of executive search professionals. We are a boutique recruitment firm connecting leading organizations with trusted professional candidates who have the experience to lead your vision.