Pelema Ellis

Associate Partner - Buffkin / Baker

Pelema Ellis is an Associate Partner in the Higher Education Practice at Buffkin / Baker, a boutique executive search firm.1 With over 25 years of experience in higher education and strategic leadership, Dr. Ellis brings a unique perspective to his role.1 3

Professional Background

Dr. Ellis has a diverse background in design, innovation, and human capital. He specializes in providing strategic guidance to individuals and organizations, particularly in the realm of higher education. His expertise includes:

Talent identification and attraction
Organizational strategy development
Value creation through relationship-driven approaches
Innovation ecosystems
Research universities
Entrepreneurship
Human capital management

Career History

Throughout his career, Pelema Ellis has held several key leadership positions in educational institutions:

Principal
Vice Provost
President
Chief Strategic Enrollment Officer
Associate Vice Chancellor
Assistant Dean

He has worked at various prestigious organizations, including:

University of New Hampshire
Great Bay Community College
University of Missouri-Columbia
Bryn Mawr College
University of Nebraska Omaha

His experience also spans roles in research, financial aid counseling, program coordination, sales, and marketing.

Education

Dr. Ellis has pursued higher education at several renowned institutions:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Michigan
San Jose State University
Cabrillo College

Current Role

As an Associate Partner at Buffkin / Baker, Pelema Ellis focuses on the Higher Education Practice. He splits his time between the Los Angeles and Boston offices.1 In this role, he leverages his extensive experience to partner with universities and colleges across the country, helping them recruit exceptional and impactful leaders.1

Pelema Ellis is known for his strategic thinking and ability to serve as a thought partner for entrepreneurial individuals and organizations.2 His approach is characterized by a holistic and systematic perspective, which he applies to talent acquisition, strategic design, and value augmentation in the higher education sector.