Blue Stone Strategy Partners

Chief Melanie Benjamin and Mike Paul have enjoyed meeting so many inspiring Tribal leaders, innovative partners, and advocates for expanding Tribal growth and sovereignty at NCAI this year. If you happen to be there today, (October 30) and would like to have a 10-minute chat about Blue Stone Strategy Partners and how we can help with your efforts in Economic Development, Health Care, Human Resources, Governance, and Housing, just drop us a quick email at [email protected]. We look forward to connecting with you all!

We are excited to welcome Melanie Benjamin to our esteemed team as Vice President of Government Relations & Engagement at Blue Stone Strategy Partners. A proud member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Melanie’s career has been marked by her tireless dedication to uplifting Tribal communities. With over two decades of Tribal governance leadership, Melanie has been a driving force in Tribal governance and economic development. She has served as the Chief Executive/Chairwoman of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe since 2000, consistently re-elected by her community for her vision and leadership. Her role as Chief Executive, the highest elected office in Band government, highlights her expertise in navigating the complexities of Tribal governance, sovereignty, and community growth. Melanie’s extensive background includes key positions such as Commissioner of Administration for the Mille Lacs Band and Sr. Vice President of Administration and Finance at Grand Casino Hinckley, where she honed her skills in strategic planning, financial management, and operational excellence. Her leadership on numerous boards, including the Native American Finance Officers Association, Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations, and the National Indian Gaming Association, underscores her influence and commitment to advancing Tribal interests at both the local and national levels. Her collaborative leadership style, combined with her vast experience, will be an invaluable asset in helping our Tribal partners achieve sustainable economic growth and self-determination. Melanie’s ability to guide organizations toward their strategic goals, coupled with her passion for cultural preservation, aligns perfectly with our mission at Blue Stone.

We had an incredible time at NAFOA and want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect with us! It was inspiring to engage with so many leaders committed to the future of Tribal economic development. We’re grateful for all the meaningful conversations and look forward to the exciting partnerships ahead!

A big thank you to everyone who visited us during NNAHRA! We had an incredible time connecting with so many passionate professionals. In following photos, you'll see our Director of Human Resources Services, Alicia Finley, offering insights on the importance of optimizing human potential in the workplace. We also had a special moment meeting one of the models featured on our booth signage, which added a fun and personal touch to the event. We appreciate all of you who stopped by and look forward to continuing the conversation!

Join us at the 2024 ATNI Annual Convention, September 30th – October 2nd, at the ilani Casino Resort! Blue Stone Strategy Partners' Economic Development Lead Mike Paul will be there, offering free 30-minute consultations on Tribal economic diversification and growth. Email us at [email protected] or give Mike a call at (612) 802-3697. Don't miss out, schedule your consultation today!

Join Blue Stone at the 2024 NAFOA Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference! We are excited to announce that Jamie Fullmer, Chairman of Blue Stone Strategy Partners, and Mike Paul, Head of Economic Development, will be attending the 2024 NAFOA Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference, taking place on September 23-24 at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, Arizona. During the event, we’re offering free 30-minute consultations with our economic development team. This is a great opportunity to gain immediate insights into your Tribe’s economic growth strategies and explore new opportunities for diversification. Let us share our expertise to help guide your Tribe toward a prosperous future. To schedule a consultation, give us a call at (949) 476-8828 or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to connecting with you at the event!

We're excited to share that the Blue Stone Strategy Partners Human Resources team will be attending the NNAHRA 28th Annual Conference from September 23rd-25th 2024 at the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant, OK. While there we’re offering a limited number of complimentary one-on-one consultations with our HR experts during the conference. This is a unique opportunity to discuss your Tribe’s specific HR needs and discover how Blue Stone Strategy Partners can help—plus, we’ll treat you to a cup of coffee! Sign up for your free consultation by copy and pasting this link into your browser: https://bit.ly/3B3ocNh

The September 2024 Blue Stone 90-Day Funding Outlook is here. Our team at Blue Stone has curated a list of funding prospects custom-tailored for Tribal Organizations to finance, and develop projects that could benefit their communities.? Visit the link below to learn more: https://bit.ly/4e8LWh1

The Value of Clinic Operational Assessments In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing healthcare environment, conducting an operations assessment is helpful for maintaining and enhancing organizational effectiveness. Here’s why it’s important: Identify Improvement Areas: An operations assessment helps identify strengths, inefficiencies, gaps, and areas for improvement, allowing you to address issues proactively. Optimize Performance: By evaluating every aspect of your operations, you can optimize performance, reduce costs, and increase productivity. Enhance Decision-Making: The insights gained from an assessment provide a solid foundation for strategic decision-making, helping you steer your organization towards long-term success. Boost Employee Engagement: Engaging staff through surveys and interviews ensures their voices are heard, fostering a culture of inclusivity and boosting morale. Strengthen Community Relations: Community surveys provide valuable external perspectives, helping you better serve your stakeholders and strengthen community relations. To learn more about operational assessments and how they could help your Tribal Organization, visit the link below: https://bit.ly/3XjqArU

When was the last time you had your compensation structure and pay ranges reviewed? An annual review and update to your compensation pay structure is critical for several reasons, all of which contribute to maintaining a fair, competitive, and effective compensation strategy. Visit the link in our bio to learn more.