Our Team
The recruiters, strategists, and specialists building bridges between exceptional talent and visionary organizations.
Meet the Team
Driven by purpose, united by expertise.

Swagata Buck
Talent Acquisition Strategy
& Solutions
Swagata is an international recruitment strategist with 30+ years of experience in IT and cross-industry talent acquisition across the U.S., India, Europe, and the Philippines. What sets her apart is not just her expertise in building strategic, end-to-end hiring solution but the depth of trust she has cultivated over more than five decades.
Her professional foundation is built on lifelong relationships spanning school, college, post-graduate studies, and decades of work. These enduring connections form a credible, personal referral ecosystem that strengthens every search. Instead of relying solely on traditional networking or sourcing channels, Swagata draws on trusted recommendations, firsthand insights, and long-standing professional goodwill resulting in talent that is both highly credible and carefully validated.
To further strengthen the quality of each search, Swagata works closely with a panel of reputed domain experts. These specialists provide functional and technical evaluation when organizations have concerns about domain depth, ensuring every candidate meets real-world expectations.
Her HR and talent experience spans manufacturing (energy, pharmaceuticals, engineering), IT, aviation operations, and technology. Over the course of her career, she has worked in international organizations such as PwC, Pfizer, and Smiths Interconnect, as well as in high-growth startups and small businesses.
With an international lens, multi-industry exposure, and a people-first philosophy, Swagata brings not just recruitment expertise but credibility, trust, and enduring human connections to every engagement.
Education & Certifications
- Master’s in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations – Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai
- LinkedIn Recruiter: AI-Powered Talent Acquisition (LinkedIn)
- Predictive Index Certification (Lever Talent)
- Human Experience Management (SAP)
- People Analytics and Evidence-Based Management (SAP)
- Global Professional in Human Resources (HRCI)

Paul Buck
Business Strategy
& Financial Management
Paul is an entrepreneur and educator who supports elevarae with business development, financial management, and strategic execution. With experience that blends business leadership and educational insight, he brings clarity, disciplined decision-making, and growth-focused structure to the firm.
His background spans entrepreneurship, operational leadership, and academic roles, enabling him to combine analytical rigor with a people-centered approach to organizational development.
Education
- BSBA – Georgetown University
- MsEd – University of Pennsylvania

Melanie Burke
Consulting Director
Organization Effectiveness & HSE Strategy
Melanie is an accomplished business leader with more than 20 years of experience driving organizational excellence across employee health and safety, environmental management, security, operational effectiveness, and corporate leadership. Throughout her career, she has partnered with organizations to improve performance, strengthen compliance, enhance workplace culture, and implement sustainable business practices.
As a Director with Elevarae, Melanie brings a strategic perspective, a solutions-oriented mindset, and a passion for helping organizations achieve their goals. Her ability to balance big-picture thinking with practical execution enables clients to navigate challenges, optimize operations, and build stronger, more resilient teams.

Joyce Palma
Talent Acquisition Consultant
Joyce is an experienced talent consultant with a deep understanding of recruitment operations, candidate engagement, and client partnership. She has worked closely with cross-functional teams across the U.S. and Asia, helping identify and place the right talent to meet business goals. Throughout her career, Joyce has contributed to talent initiatives at Accenture, Inc., iRely, and Applause Technology, Inc., gaining broad exposure to diverse industries and recruitment environments.
Known for her commitment to quality and relationship-building, Joyce brings empathy, focus, and professionalism to every search. At elevarae, she supports recruitment delivery and ensures that both clients and candidates experience a seamless and thoughtful process.
Education & Certifications
- BS Travel and Tourism Management - Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Maynila
- AI-Powered Talent Acquisition (LinkedIn Recruiter)
- Project Management Foundations (LinkedIn Recruiter)
- Talent Management (LinkedIn Recruiter)
International Network

United States

India

United Kingdom

Philippines




