Fractional CHROs in Raleigh Making Things Happen

Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill Interim Chief People Officers to Know

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

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.

Raleigh-Durham Fractional CHROs to Know

🔹 Tim Toterhi

Fractional CHRO | Executive Coach | Founder, Plotline Leadership
Tim Toterhi is an HR executive, author, and leadership strategist with over two decades of experience guiding people operations in high-growth and multinational environments. Based in the Triangle, Tim works with startups, SMBs, and nonprofits as a fractional CHRO—providing structure, accountability, and a clear strategic HR lens. His coaching-first approach ensures organizations align leadership behavior with business outcomes.

🔍 Specialties: Leadership development, HR strategy, performance systems, executive coaching
📍 Based in: Raleigh, NC

🔹 Kathy Weaver

People Leader | Fractional Chief People Officer | Advisor to Growing Teams
Kathy is a seasoned HR leader who works with small and mid-size businesses to build scalable people systems grounded in trust, transparency, and inclusion. As a fractional CPO, she provides high-touch support to founders, executive teams, and early-stage HR departments looking to establish long-term frameworks for culture, compliance, and performance.

🔍 Specialties: Employee relations, DEI, HR compliance, people operations
📍 Based in: Durham, NC

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.

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