Buck Baker’s Lasting Impact as a Bpeace Skillanthropist in Central America

Buck Baker, a seasoned Human Resources Director, has built a career around the philosophy that mistakes are as valuable as successes. This perspective allows him to guide business leaders toward tailored solutions for their unique challenges. “In the HR space, I meet business leaders where they are, and that is a positive place,” Baker says, emphasizing his adaptable and supportive approach.

This year, Baker’s first in-country consultation was with a Guatemalan business leader who had just established a full-time HR role. The new HR manager presented a comprehensive two-year plan that only needed minor adjustments. Baker encouraged him to trust his instincts, acknowledging the manager’s solid foundation. “He said to me, ‘You’re kind of like a priest for businesses; you just give the blessing!’ And although I’m not so religious, that’s kind of what I do,” Baker recounts.

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Baker expanded his expertise through remote consultations in Guatemala and El Salvador. Despite his extensive 10-year HR experience in Central America, he admits to initial nervousness. “I’ve worked with 22 businesses now, and during every single consultation, we find at least one idea they can implement immediately, and usually several,” he shares.

The impact of Baker’s work extends beyond immediate business improvements. Each employee’s job represents stability and opportunity for their families. For women in the workplace, a fulfilling job models a progressive vision of women’s roles in society to their children and communities.

The multiplier effect of the jobs Bpeace helps create is central to its mission. Business leaders interact with suppliers, customers, and employees, creating a ripple effect of positive change. Sustainable businesses provide reliable opportunities for suppliers and enhanced services for customers. Employers who offer career paths and learning tools foster a highly skilled, self-taught workforce with prosperous career prospects. “The impact you have as a Bpeace Skillanthropist is both immediate and self-perpetuating,” Baker concludes, underscoring the long-term benefits of his work.