Best Fractional CHROs in Raleigh-Durham

Raleigh-Durham Fractional CHRO Services, Outsourced CHROs & Interim Chief People Officers

North Carolina’s Research Triangle—home to Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill—isn’t just a university corridor anymore. It’s one of the most sophisticated innovation hubs in the country, with a fast-growing ecosystem spanning biotech, SaaS, advanced manufacturing, and mission-driven startups. What unites these industries? A deepening need for people leadership that scales with complexity.

That’s where fractional Chief People Officers (CPOs) come in.

Fractional CHROs are helping Research Triangle organizations move from reactive HR to intentional, strategic people operations. These leaders bring in structure, culture, and compliance—without the lag time or long-term cost of hiring a full-time exec.

At Digital Reference, we’ve curated a list of seasoned, referenceable professionals already doing this work across the region.

Our Selection Process -Fractional CHROs & CPOs in the Research Triangle

Every fractional executive featured here meets five key criteria:

✅ Based in or actively working across Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill
✅ Operating in a fractional, interim, or embedded CHRO/CPO capacity
✅ Public-facing with a visible track record (LinkedIn, firm site, portfolio, etc.)
✅ Experienced in startup, growth-stage, or transformation-heavy orgs
✅ Trusted by clients, partners, and peers for their outcomes—not just advice

We feature operators, not influencers. People who show up, dig in, and make things happen.

Meet the Raleigh-Durham Fractional CHROs Making Things Happen

‍👤 Tim Toterhi

LinkedIn | Website

Based in Raleigh, Tim Toterhi is more than a CHRO—he's a career strategist, TEDx speaker, executive coach, and author of ten books. Through Plotline Leadership, Tim helps companies evolve their HR strategy using storytelling frameworks and practical business insight.

🔹 Former CHRO with global experience across Fortune 500s
🔹 Certified Career Coach focused on narrative-driven talent development
🔹 Advocates for “feedback without fear”—a powerful culture driver
🔹 Recent podcast guest and contributor to HR thought leadership outlets
🔹 Supports founders and executives with high-trust coaching relationships

Tim’s narrative-driven methodology resonates deeply with Digital Reference’s emphasis on authentic representation and professional storytelling.

👤 Kathy Weaver

LinkedIn | Website

Founder of Talent Weaver Solutions, Kathy Weaver is a Raleigh-based executive coach and CHRO with 20+ years of experience driving global HR strategy. With SPHR and SHRM‑SCP credentials—and as a Gallup-certified coach—Kathy blends structured HR frameworks with people-first leadership.

🔹 Recognized as 2024 ATHENA Servant Leader Award recipient
🔹 Specializes in inclusive leadership, team effectiveness, and culture architecture
🔹 ICF-accredited coach with a track record of transforming talent pipelines
🔹 Thought leader on empathy, leadership development, and values-driven work
🔹 Works with organizations of all sizes—from nonprofits to high-growth tech

Kathy doesn’t just consult—she co-creates systems that unlock human potential, echoing our belief in HR as transformation, not just compliance.

👤 Michael Smith

LinkedIn | Website

Michael Smith brings a rare combination of military precision and corporate HR agility to the Raleigh area. After 12 years in military HR, Michael transitioned to business leadership and now runs One Stop People Solutions, supporting companies with practical, system-based HR tools.

🔹 Background in multi-state compliance, talent acquisition, and HR audits
🔹 Recently named fractional CHRO for a growing North Carolina property firm
🔹 Offers specialized services for veteran hiring pipelines and performance alignment
🔹 Focused on helping small-to-mid-sized businesses build scalable HR infrastructure
🔹 Dedicated to accessible HR support for startups and service-based firms

Michael’s systems-first philosophy makes him a great fit for organizations seeking process clarity, without sacrificing human connection.

👤 Rachel Trunkey

LinkedIn | Website

Founder of Core Rapport HR, Rachel Trunkey is a dynamic consultant known for her personal approach to HR strategy. PHR and SHRM‑CP certified, Rachel has nearly 20 years of experience guiding organizations through both steady growth and turbulent transitions.

🔹 Strength in policy development, employee relations, and compliance
🔹 Builds custom programs for startups and nonprofit boards
🔹 Incorporates behavioral science and assessment tools like MBTI, DISC
🔹 Known for approachability, responsiveness, and long-term HR partnerships
🔹 Works across industries with a special focus on mission-driven teams

Rachel’s style blends practical HR operations with deep relational skills—hallmarks of the consultants we value at Digital Reference.

👤 Dan Harvey

LinkedIn

‍Dan Harvey is a career CHRO with three decades of impact across healthcare, pharma, and industrial companies. As the founder of The Harvey HR Group, he brings high-level executive presence to fractional HR leadership, especially for regulated sectors.

🔹 CHRO experience at Alcami Corporation, SolarCity, Unither Pharma, and more
🔹 SPHR and SHRM‑SCP certified with deep expertise in workforce planning
🔹 Focused on HR strategy execution, succession planning, and M&A integration
🔹 Serves Triangle-based mid-sized firms with national workforce footprints
🔹 Trusted advisor to CEOs seeking measurable, scalable transformation

Dan’s top-tier corporate experience now benefits local organizations—and aligns with our focus on fractional excellence, not just part-time support.

‍Why the Research Triangle Is a Prime Market for Fractional Talent

Companies in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill aren’t waiting for “perfect hires”—they’re investing in flexible, strategic leadership. That’s especially true for:

• 📈 Startups preparing to scale beyond 25–100+ employees
  
  
• 🧪 Biotech or SaaS orgs needing regulatory + cultural guidance
  
  
• 🧭 Mission-aligned companies navigating hybrid growth
  
  
• 🔄 Teams restructuring or launching new divisions
  
  
• 🤝 Orgs building toward Series A/B, acquisition, or community expansion
  
  

In these moments, fractional CHROs are more than a stopgap—they’re a bridge to better leadership and long-term HR foundations.

What Sets These Leaders Apart

Tim and Kathy each bring something essential to the Triangle’s evolving business landscape:

✅ Executive presence grounded in real empathy
✅ Strategic insight with tactical playbooks
✅ Deep coaching expertise for founder and C-suite teams
✅ A sharp eye for systems, people ops, and inclusive org design
✅ Most importantly: a strong reputation with teams they’ve helped build

They don’t need months to “get up to speed.” They help companies move faster with better alignment.

Explore More on Digital Reference

If this is your first time exploring fractional leadership, start here:

📘 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: North Carolina’s Growth Needs People Leadership That Grows With It

The Research Triangle’s next chapter isn’t just about tech or talent—it’s about culture, clarity, and leadership. Fractional CHROs like Tim Toterhi and Kathy Weaver are already showing companies how to grow on purpose—with HR strategy that scales.

If you’re ready to lead better without waiting for a full-time hire, this is where you start.

✅ 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.

• Columbus
  Fractional CHROs in Columbus Making Things Happen
  Columbus combines Midwestern values with high-growth potential, and its interim people leaders bring strategic clarity to fast-growing startups, educational institutions, and service-sector employers.

• 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.

• 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.