Best Fractional CHROs in Columbus

Columbus Fractional CHRO Services, Outsourced CHROs & Interim Chief People Officers

Columbus has quietly become one of the Midwest’s most dynamic business hubs. With Fortune 500 companies, a fast-growing startup scene, and major investments in logistics, fintech, healthcare, and education, this city is no longer flying under the radar. But with growth comes complexity—and that’s where fractional CHROs step in.

Whether it’s a tech company scaling beyond its first 50 employees or a family-run business modernizing its people operations, organizations in Columbus are increasingly turning to fractional Chief People Officers to bring strategy, clarity, and leadership to the table.

At Digital Reference, we’re spotlighting fractional leaders who are helping Columbus companies grow smarter—without overhiring or overbuilding.

How We Curate Our List of Fractional CHROs & CPOs in Columbus

We take reputation seriously. Every professional featured here has been selected based on Digital Reference’s methodology:

✅ Clear public presence as a fractional or interim CHRO/CPO
✅ Active within the Columbus metro area
✅ Demonstrated experience with growth-stage or complex organizations
✅ Ability to align HR systems with company values and operational strategy
✅ Known for execution, not just advice

We don’t list people who just could do the work. We focus on those who are already doing it.

Meet the Columbus Fractional CHROs & CPOs Making Things Happen

💠 Kim Troy

🔗 View Kim on LinkedIn
🔗 Visit Civilis Consulting

Kim Troy is the Founder and CEO of Civilis Consulting, a Columbus-based firm specializing in culture transformation, leadership development, and people-first strategy. With a background that spans Fortune 500 leadership, wildlife conservation consulting, and organizational transformation, Kim brings a powerful blend of insight and empathy to her work as a fractional CHRO.

What sets Kim apart is her deep expertise in aligning business operations with human behavior. She’s known for helping purpose-driven organizations navigate complex transitions, embed values into hiring practices, and build authentic leadership teams from the ground up.

Highlights of Kim’s approach:

• 🧭 Combines strategic consulting with executive-level coaching
• 🏢 Works closely with nonprofits, startups, and socially driven companies
• 🔄 Helps organizations scale culture alongside growth, using change management frameworks

Kim’s thoughtful leadership and Columbus roots make her a standout choice for mission-focused teams seeking a high-impact fractional CHRO.

💠 Grace Schmitt

🔗 View Grace on LinkedIn
🔗 Visit Landid

Grace Schmitt is a Partner at Landid, a Columbus-based HR consultancy known for supporting growing mid-market companies with comprehensive HR strategies. With a background as a labor attorney and former CHRO, Grace understands the full picture—from compliance to culture.

Her work centers around building sustainable HR infrastructures, especially for organizations between 100 and 1,000 employees. She brings a rare mix of legal acumen, executive coaching, and recruiting leadership, making her a vital partner for companies undergoing growth or restructuring.

Why clients trust Grace:

• ⚖️ Designs HR systems that are both legally sound and culturally relevant
• 🚀 Helps businesses scale people operations with lean, tailored models
• 🤝 Offers a partnership-based approach that reflects the collaborative spirit of Columbus

Whether you’re building from scratch or leveling up existing practices, Grace brings smart, strategic support that delivers results.

💠 Melissa Murphy

🔗 View Melissa on LinkedIn
🔗 Visit Corel Consulting

Founder and CEO of Corel Consulting, Melissa Murphy brings a dynamic, growth-focused approach to HR and operations. With a background in startup management, recruitment, and marketing, Melissa is uniquely positioned to support organizations that want to integrate HR strategy into overall business growth.

She’s worked across industries to deliver everything from people operations design to payroll systems, with a special focus on companies scaling from early stages to maturity.

What makes Melissa a standout:

• 🎯 Offers HR support that’s both strategic and operational, especially for fast-moving teams
• 📈 Merges growth marketing insight with workforce planning to drive performance
• 🤹 Brings cross-functional experience that helps clients tackle complex challenges with confidence

Melissa’s model works well for Columbus companies looking for hands-on HR leadership with a sharp eye on business outcomes.

💠 Jennifer (Habart) Hinkle

🔗 View Jennifer on LinkedIn

Currently serving as Chief Human Resources Officer at Rockbridge, Jennifer Hinkle also leads her own consultancy, Auxiliary Talent Solutions, where she takes on fractional and project-based CHRO work. Her 30+ year career includes senior HR leadership roles with top retail and hospitality brands, such as Bath & Body Works, EXPRESS, and Arhaus.

Jennifer blends executive coaching with hands-on HR strategy, helping organizations navigate change, develop leadership pipelines, and build people-centered cultures.

Why organizations choose Jennifer:

• 🧠 Offers ICF-accredited coaching alongside strategic HR advisory
• 🌱 Leads large-scale talent development initiatives and cultural shifts
• 🏆 Recognized for her empathetic leadership style and operational rigor

Jennifer is a trusted name in Columbus HR circles and a go-to for companies looking to build strong, scalable HR systems rooted in integrity and results.

‍Why Columbus Companies Are Hiring Fractional CHROs

Columbus businesses are growing—but they’re doing it intentionally. Leaders here want systems that fit their size and stage, not bloated HR functions copied from corporations.

Key reasons local companies are hiring fractional CHROs:

• 🧱 Startups moving past the founder-led HR stage
  
  
• 📈 Mid-market firms needing people ops maturity to scale
  
  
• 🧭 Nonprofits and B Corps investing in values-aligned leadership
  
  
• 🔁 Restructuring or preparing for M&A
  
  
• 💡 Hybrid and remote teams needing clarity on policy, performance, and culture
  
  

Fractional HR leaders offer the executive presence and systems thinking needed to lead in these moments—without adding unnecessary overhead.

What Makes a Fractional CHRO Effective in Columbus?

The best fractional CPOs in this region bring:

✅ Strategic discipline paired with real operational experience
✅ A focus on values and leadership alignment
✅ Flexibility to adapt to hybrid, remote, or on-site cultures
✅ Strong communication skills—especially with mission-driven or founder-led orgs
✅ A reputation for building trust quickly

Kim Troy checks all of those boxes—and brings a coach’s mindset to every engagement.

Related Digital Reference Content

If you’re exploring fractional executive talent, check out:

📘 How to Hire a Fractional Executive
A practical guide for founders and operators navigating interim leadership.

📍 The Importance of Professional References
Explore why third-party credibility is more critical than ever in today’s trust-driven hiring market.

📘 Collecting Professional References: The Dos and Don’ts
References are often the make-or-break element of your next opportunity. Yet many professionals still treat the reference process as an afterthought or, worse, scramble to collect them last minute.

📗 The Talent Ecosystem: Why Fractional Operators Are Reshaping the C-Suite
Explore the structural shifts behind the rise of fractional leadership and what it means for your next hire.

Final Word: Columbus Is Growing With Intention—And So Is Its Leadership

From B Corps and nonprofits to venture-backed startups and scaling enterprises, Columbus companies are putting people strategy front and center. But they’re not waiting around for a full-time hire. They’re turning to fractional CHROs who can lead with purpose, implement systems, and align teams—right now.

Kim Troy is already doing that across Ohio and beyond.

She’s not just advising—she’s building workplaces that work.

✅ Check Out Our Local Directories of Fractional CHROs & Interim Chief People Officers by City

This resource highlights city-specific guides to some of the most impactful interim and fractional Chief People Officers across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Each directory offers a look into the unique business culture of the region and the leaders driving people strategy forward.

• Atlanta
  Fractional CHROs in Atlanta Making Things Happen
  Atlanta’s talent leaders are shaping diverse, tech-forward workplaces in a city that’s become a magnet for startups, logistics firms, and entertainment enterprises. Fractional CHROs here are experts at managing rapid growth and culture change.

• Chicago
  Fractional CHROs in Chicago Making Things Happen
  In this powerhouse of industry and innovation, Chicago’s fractional CHROs help organizations scale intentionally—blending legacy systems with modern people practices in finance, healthcare, logistics, and tech.

• Denver
  Fractional CHROs in Denver Making Things Happen
  Known for its entrepreneurial spirit and wellness-driven culture, Denver is home to CHROs who specialize in building values-aligned teams and sustainable HR infrastructures for growing businesses.

• Detroit
  Fractional CHROs in Detroit Making Things Happen
  In the heart of the Midwest’s manufacturing revival, Detroit’s people leaders are reinventing what workforce strategy looks like across automotive, tech, and nonprofit sectors.

• Houston
  Fractional CHROs in Houston Making Things Happen
  Energy, healthcare, and logistics dominate Houston’s economy, and the city’s CHROs are uniquely equipped to address complex compliance needs and workforce transformations.

• Indianapolis
  Fractional CHROs in Indianapolis Making Things Happen
  As Indianapolis grows into a regional tech and biotech hub, its interim HR leaders are guiding companies through strategic hiring, leadership development, and HR tech implementation.

• Jacksonville
  Fractional CHROs in Jacksonville Making Things Happen
  Jacksonville’s fractional CHROs serve fast-growing industries like finance, logistics, and healthcare—offering guidance on culture-building, operational scale, and remote workforce policy.

• Las Vegas
  Fractional CHROs in Las Vegas Making Things Happen
  Beyond hospitality, Vegas is growing its footprint in tech and healthcare—and its HR consultants are ushering in next-gen talent strategies in industries that rely on high performance and adaptability.

• Los Angeles
  Fractional CHROs in Los Angeles Making Things Happen
  In this entertainment and startup capital, LA’s CHROs specialize in hybrid teams, talent branding, and aligning creative and corporate cultures under fast-paced conditions.

• London
  Fractional CHROs in London Making Things Happen
  London’s fractional HR leaders support multinationals and scaleups across finance, fintech, and creative industries—navigating global labor trends and cross-border compliance with precision.

• Miami
  Fractional CHROs in Miami Making Things Happen
  Miami is a rising tech and finance hotspot with a diverse workforce—and its interim people leaders are fluent in multicultural management, bilingual team dynamics, and global HR systems.

• Naples
  Fractional CHROs in Naples Making Things Happen
  In Naples, fractional HR leaders help small to midsize companies and family-owned businesses build professionalized systems without compromising close-knit cultures.

• New York City
  Fractional CHROs in New York City Making Things Happen
  From Wall Street to SoHo startups, NYC’s fractional CHROs are masters of navigating complexity—balancing regulation, rapid scaling, and inclusive leadership in high-pressure industries.

• Orlando
  Fractional CHROs in Orlando Making Things Happen
  Tourism, healthcare, and education anchor Orlando’s economy—and its CHROs provide high-touch leadership solutions that prioritize retention, well-being, and frontline empowerment.

• Phoenix
  Fractional CHROs in Phoenix Making Things Happen
  Phoenix is booming in construction, healthcare, and tech—and local CHROs are helping businesses mature people operations while retaining agility in competitive labor markets.

• Raleigh
  Fractional CHROs in Raleigh Making Things Happen
  As part of the Research Triangle, Raleigh is home to biotech, education, and tech talent—and its HR leaders are supporting scaleups with science-backed people strategies.

• Salt Lake City
  Fractional CHROs in Salt Lake City Making Things Happen
  SLC combines entrepreneurial energy with deep-rooted values, and its fractional CHROs offer people solutions that honor both innovation and integrity.

• San Diego
  Fractional CHROs in San Diego Making Things Happen
  Life sciences, defense, and tourism converge in San Diego—where fractional CHROs are helping companies adapt to hybrid work and global growth strategies.

• Seattle
  Fractional CHROs in Seattle Making Things Happen
  Seattle’s HR experts are key players in navigating tech sector challenges—from layoffs to equity planning to scaling culture across global engineering teams.

• St. Louis
  Fractional CHROs in St. Louis Making Things Happen
  This Midwestern city is home to major employers in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing—and its fractional CHROs support operational resilience and inclusive workforce planning.

• Washington, DC
  Fractional CHROs in Washington DC Making Things Happen
  In the nation’s capital, people leaders serve nonprofits, associations, and purpose-driven orgs—providing strategic clarity and DEI leadership in highly regulated environments.