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
- Lessons Learned from the Impact of Recent OMB Guidance on Tribal, Governmental and Nonprofit ServicesRecent guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is poised to significantly affect Tribal, governmental and nonprofit services.
- “We’re still here, we’re thriving.” 🌟 Native American Heritage Month with Taryn Reynolds, MSL, THRP IITaryn emphasizes how protecting sovereignty extends beyond language preservation into organizational policies. Taryn Reynolds illustrates how tribal communities can be both progressive and traditional, challenging the “that’s how it’s always been done” mentality while honoring cultural values…
- “We did it for the People.” 💫 Native American Heritage Month with Sean McCabe, CPAWesley Benally welcomes Sean McCabe, CPA and Controller of the Navajo Nation, for a powerful discussion about building a meaningful legacy in tribal finance…
- Seeking Input from Tribal Leaders to Present at November GASAC MeetingREDW Tribal Consultant and GASAC member Hattie Mitchell is seeking input from Tribal leaders ahead of the next GASAC meeting on November 12, 2024.
- “If not me, then who?” 👐 Native American Heritage Month with Marcus Benally, MBAIn this candid conversation, host Wes Benally sits down with Audit Manager Marcus Benally, MBA, to discuss how cultural identity becomes a superpower in professional settings…