Insight in Indian Country Podcast
Trusted Expertise to Serve Tribal Nations
In this episode, your host Wes Benally, REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader, is diving into the top concerns for Tribal Human Resources departments. Joined by experts from REDW’s Human Resources Consulting group – Sam Bolen, Laurel Roybal, and Taryn Reynolds – they share valuable insights and solutions for HR teams operating in tribal entities, discussing:
- The importance of accurate compensation data for making informed hiring decisions.
- How salary compression occurs and avoiding pay disparities.
- Tactics for tribal entities, particularly those in rural areas, to recruit and retain top talent despite compensation challenges.
- The impact of remote work and hybrid job positions on HR departments and strategies for adaptation.
- Tune in to gain expert perspectives on the top concerns for Tribal Human Resources departments and discover practical solutions for attracting and retaining talent, and enhancing the employee experience in tribal entities.
Have a question or want to suggest a discussion topic for our podcast? Connect with Wes.
REDW LLC is proud to bring you the Insight in Indian Country Podcast, covering important advisory, accounting, and finance topics that impact Tribal Nations and business affairs. Thanks for listening!
Meet Your Host & Guests
Wesley Ryan Benally, CPA
REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader
As the leader of REDW’s National Tribal Practice, Wes is committed to improving financial literacy throughout Indian Country and hosts the Insight in Indian Country Podcast. He oversees audits of a wide range for Native American communities, state and local government agencies, and non-profits, nationwide and is a member of the Arizona State Board of Accountancy’s Peer Review Oversight Advisory Committee and serves as an instructor with Arizona State University’s American Indian Policy Institute.
Sam Bolen, SHRM-SCP, THRP
REDW Director of Human Resources Consulting (HRC) Services
As Director of HRC Services, Sam guides clients in all functional areas of HR, including talent acquisition, compliance, policy administration, employee relations, investigations, performance management, training, and ongoing HR support. Her deep experience spans industries, employee cultures, and organizational complexity. She has earned the Senior Certified Professional credential from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM-SCP), as well as the Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) credential from the National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA).
Laurel Roybal, THRP
REDW Human Resources Consulting Compensation Consultant
With over 20 years of experience in areas of compliance ad administration, Laurel has worked with many different types of clients in the federal, state, and municipal governments, as well as a number of private companies. She works with REDW’s Human Resources Consulting team, performing data analysis and developing resources for clients to keep up with hiring and salary trends. Laurel studied at California State University and the University of Arkansas, and is a certified Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP).
Taryn Reynolds
REDW Human Resources Consultant
With ample experience in HR positions focused on employee recruitment and onboarding, HRIS systems, and employee relations in Indian Country, Taryn works with REDW’s Human Resources Consulting team to help employers and HR teams create cultures of employee engagement and success. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma Wesleyan University with an emphasis in Management and Human Resources.
Compensation Studies—Your Key to Hiring & Retaining Top Talent.
It’s important to attract—and retain—the best employees to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your tribal organization. And given an exceptionally competitive labor market and the usual budget constraints, this means basing your employee compensation and benefits programs on relevant and reliable data.
More from Insight in Indian Country
- “We’re all fighting for our people.” Economic Growth, Diversification, and the Future of Indian Country with Chris JamesChris speaks candidly about the role gaming has played as a transformational economic driver — and why Tribes are increasingly looking beyond it to federal contracting, technology, agriculture, tourism, and citizen entrepreneurship.
- Spring 2026 Single Audit ReadinessIf your organization receives federal funding — whether you’re a Tribal government, local government, or nonprofit — 2026 is a year to pay close attention to your Single Audit readiness.
- NAFOA 44th Annual ConferenceREDW is proud to return as a Gold Sponsor of NAFOA’s Spring Conference, taking place April 27–28 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. Join us as we connect with tribal leaders and industry experts to discuss the economic issues shaping Indian Country — and don’t miss REDW Principal and Cybersecurity expert John W. Graham’s session, “What Could Go Wrong? Cybersecurity Essentials for Tribal Governments,” on April 28.
- “We’ve got to generate revenue for the nation.” How DDC Is Winning in Federal IT for the Navajo Nation with Austin TsosieWhat does it look like when a Tribally-owned enterprise deliberately goes off the reservation to generate economic returns for its Nation? Austin Tsosie, CEO of Diné Development Corporation (DDC) — the Navajo Nation’s 8A federal contracting arm — joins host Wes Benally to answer exactly that.
- REDW Advisors & CPAs Welcomes Soaring Bird Solutions, Expanding Advisory Services to Tribal Nations and EnterprisesSoaring Bird Solutions, LLC has joined the firm through a strategic acquisition, integrating its operations into REDW’s national advisory platform. Through this partnership, REDW will expand its capabilities in supporting Tribal Nations and Tribal enterprises, particularly in the areas of human resources strategy, leadership development, and organizational consulting.
