Blue Stone Strategy Partners

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Blue Stone Strategy Partners

Blue Stone Strategy Partners is a national, Native-Owned business and government advisory firm.

Blue Stone Strategy Partners recognizes that Tribal governments must strike a balance between the immediate needs of their Tribes and investment in long-term sustainability. It is not uncommon for Nations to be actively involved in juggling a number of initiatives and social services aimed at promoting economic growth and community development. We help Tribes to develop a vision, structure, and ov

erall priorities with strategies and tactics that need to be undertaken in order to develop relevant and workable plans. An objective review of the current state of Tribal enterprises, services, programs, resources, and expectations helps to identify opportunities and areas for improvement, and provides a solid base from which to develop an actionable strategic plan. Our approach results in strategies that encompass the overall needs of a Tribal community and creates an environment for lasting success.

06/01/2026

Federal funding priorities continue to shift. Operating costs remain high. Workforce challenges persist across Indian Country.

As Tribal Leaders navigate these challenges, many are asking the same questions:

• How can we reduce reliance on outside funding?
• What new revenue opportunities exist for our Nation?
• How can we strengthen existing enterprises and improve performance?
• What investments today will create sustainable benefits for future generations?

These are the conversations Jake Robinson works through with Tribal leadership teams every day.

Blue Stone Strategy Partners is looking forward to attending the Third Annual Tribal Leadership Conference in Chandler, Arizona, where Tribal Leaders from across Indian Country will come together to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and priorities shaping the future of their Nations.

If you'll be attending, connect with Jake Robinson, Vice President of Economic Development, to discuss economic diversification, enterprise development, strategic planning, feasibility analysis, and implementation strategies designed to support long-term Tribal prosperity.

Schedule time with Jake: https://bit.ly/4ojNATD

05/26/2026

Nearly 100 Tribal economic development leaders gathered at the NCAIED Reservation Economic Summit this March. The session was billed as a three-hour conversation about what comes next: new ventures, new asset classes, new frontiers.

What emerged from the room was something more disciplined.

A narrower federal pipeline. Maturing revenue engines. Capital that has grown more expensive and more selective. The leaders in the room ranked strategic planning, governance reform, and strengthening existing enterprises ahead of launching anything new. They rated their own operations at 2.4 out of 5. The community-leadership alignment gap was the quietest finding in the survey, and the most consequential.

Indian Country is entering what we're calling the foundation era of Tribal economic development. The takeaway is not retreat. It is reform.

Read the full piece, including the three imperatives shaping Tribal economic strategy for the year ahead: https://bit.ly/43uM1s8

05/18/2026

Join Dr. Alexandria M. Wright, PhD, Director of Economic & Workforce Impact at Blue Stone Strategy Partners, at the 2026 NAWDP Annual Conference for a featured session focused on workforce development in Indian Country.

Alongside Nevadaworks Tribal Liaison Mr. Roberts, Dr. Wright will present:

Honoring Sovereignty, Expanding Opportunity: Connecting Workforce Systems to Indian Country, A Nevadaworks Case Study

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Phoenix Convention Center | Phoenix, Arizona

This session will explore how workforce systems can better align with Tribal priorities through culturally grounded planning, workforce partnerships, apprenticeship pathways, WIOA funding strategies, and long-term economic development approaches supporting Tribal Nations.

The discussion will also highlight lessons learned through the Good Jobs Northern Nevada Initiative and the Indian Workforce Development Advisory Council, including strategies connected to youth pathways, energy workforce development, environmental remediation, and scalable workforce systems in Indian Country.

With more than 20 years of experience supporting Tribal workforce and economic development initiatives, Dr. Wright brings extensive experience in labor market analysis, apprenticeship design, regional workforce strategy, and Tribal systems development.

If you will be attending NAWDP, Dr. Wright would welcome the opportunity to connect during the conference to discuss your community’s workforce and economic development priorities. Even if you will not be attending, she would still value the opportunity to learn more about your community’s needs and discuss strategies supporting long-term workforce growth and opportunity.

Schedule time to connect:
https://bit.ly/4nBiWV5

05/12/2026

Tribal organizations across the country continue to navigate workforce pressures, leadership transitions, and growing operational demands. Events like the 2026 NNAHRA Women’s Summit create space for practical conversations around leadership, organizational alignment, and the evolving challenges Tribal communities are working through today.

Blue Stone Strategy Partners is onsite this week and looking forward to connecting with Tribal HR leaders, executives, and leadership teams throughout the summit.

We’re also excited for tomorrow’s session:

“Seasons of Leadership: Growing Tribal Women from Influence to Impact”

This session will explore how Indigenous women leaders across Tribal governance, gaming, and enterprise can recognize the season of leadership they are in, strengthen the competencies needed for the next level, and intentionally build relationships that expand opportunity across Tribal enterprises.

Grounded in cultural resilience and modern executive strategy, the discussion focuses on preparing women leaders not only to advance professionally, but to help lead long-term Tribal economic growth and organizational transformation.

If you’ll be onsite, we’d welcome the opportunity to connect and learn more about your community’s priorities.

Schedule time with our team:
https://bit.ly/48UDDWb

05/11/2026

Blue Stone Strategy Partners is proud to be part of the 2026 Women’s Summit hosted by the National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA), taking place May 12–13 at Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass in Arizona.

We invite attendees to join Alicia Finley and Chief Melanie Benjamin for the session, “Seasons of Leadership: Growing Tribal Women from Influence to Impact” This session is an opportunity to hear practical insight, share experiences, and engage in meaningful discussion around the realities Tribal leaders and HR professionals are navigating today.

Blue Stone Strategy Partners will also be on-site throughout the event and available to meet with Tribal leaders, HR professionals, and organizational teams before or after the session to discuss your community’s needs, priorities, and long-term goals.

If you would like to schedule dedicated time with Alicia and Melanie during the Women’s Summit, you can do so here:
https://bit.ly/3R0mQe8

Learn more about the 2026 Women’s Summit here:
https://bit.ly/4nljA9f

05/05/2026

Join Us at the 2026 NNAHRA Women’s Summit

As Tribal organizations continue to navigate workforce challenges, leadership transitions, and increasing operational demands, the need for grounded, practical leadership conversations continues to grow.

Blue Stone Strategy Partners will be onsite throughout the week, connecting with Tribal HR leaders and leadership teams on the strategies, structures, and systems needed to move forward with clarity.

Session: Seasons of Leadership - Growing Tribal Women from Influence to Impact
Wednesday, May 13th | 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Palo Verde Ballroom (HR 2)

Presented by:
• Alicia Finley, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, THRP, TMP | Vice President, Blue Stone Strategy Partners
• Chief Melanie Benjamin | Tribal Advisor and Vice President of Government Relations and Engagement

This session will explore how Tribal women leaders move through different stages of leadership, from emerging influence to lasting impact. The focus is on recognizing where you are in your leadership journey, building the capabilities needed for the next stage, and navigating the realities Tribal organizations are facing today.

The discussion is grounded in lived experience, including how to:
• Work through internal constraints
• Align leadership priorities
• Strengthen relationships across governance, gaming, healthcare, and enterprise
• Build leadership pathways that support long-term growth and impact

Our team will be available throughout the summit to talk through the challenges you’re facing and the opportunities ahead.

Whether you’re working through workforce shortages, compensation structure, organizational alignment, or leadership development, these are the same conversations we’re having every day with Tribal organizations across the country.

If you’d like to connect during the event, schedule time with our team below.
https://bit.ly/4tVGiHw

05/04/2026

This part of the year is less about planning and more about positioning. Priorities are becoming clearer, funding timelines are tightening, and decisions made now will shape what gets executed over the next 6 to 12 months.

The latest Blue Stone 90-Day Funding Outlook breaks down where momentum is building, which opportunities are moving forward, and how to align available funding with your Nation’s broader economic direction.

Click the link below to sign-up and receive the latest 90-Day Funding Outlook:
https://bit.ly/4cOqxMn

04/24/2026

Healthcare conversations across Indian Country are becoming more focused, more urgent, and more tied to ex*****on.

As funding expands and policy continues to evolve, many Tribal and Urban Indian organizations are working through how to structure healthcare systems that are sustainable, scalable, and aligned with community priorities.

The Blue Stone Strategy Partners team will be onsite at the NCUIH 2026 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., April 27–30, joining leaders from across the country as the conference marks 50 years of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

This week brings together organizations that are actively addressing:

• Expanding healthcare services while maintaining cultural alignment
• Structuring around IHS, Medicaid, and emerging funding streams
• Strengthening governance and operational oversight
• Identifying immediate opportunities tied to current federal initiatives
• Building healthcare models that support long-term financial sustainability

These are practical challenges that require clear direction and structured decision-making, not just planning.

If you will be attending NCUIH, we welcome the opportunity to connect. Whether you are early in the process or actively navigating expansion, bring what you are working on. We are always open to walking through it with you.

You can schedule time with our team in advance here:
https://bit.ly/4vKiwzH

04/22/2026

Blue Stone Strategy Partners will be onsite at NAFOA, and we’re looking forward to meaningful conversations around Tribal finance, economic development, and long-term sustainability.

Indian Country is navigating a complex moment. Funding is shifting, costs are rising, and many Tribal Nations are balancing immediate community needs with long-term economic priorities. At the same time, there is increasing pressure to strengthen governance, improve financial performance, and build strategies that can actually be implemented.

That’s where we focus our work.

Our team will be onsite and available to connect:
Melanie Benjamin, Tribal Advisor and VP of Government Relations & Engagement
Jake Robinson, VP of Economic Development

We’ll be talking through:
• Financial sustainability and funding alignment
• Enterprise and portfolio strategy
• Governance and decision-making structures
• Turning plans into actionable, implementable strategies

If you’ll be at NAFOA, we’d welcome the opportunity to connect, hear what you’re working through, and explore how we can support your Nation.

Schedule time with our team: https://bit.ly/3Qlq6QY

04/21/2026

Rural Health Transformation is moving fast.

States are already deploying hundreds of millions into new care models, partnerships, and infrastructure. Many of those decisions are happening right now.

For Tribal Nations, this creates real opportunity, but also real risk if positioning isn’t clear from the start.

Who defines the model matters.
Who holds control matters.
How systems are built matters.

We broke down what this moment means and how to approach it strategically.

Read the full piece:
https://bit.ly/3OSAxek

Address

2214 N. Central Avenue, Suite 250
Phoenix, AZ
85004

Website

http://www.bluestonestrategy.com/

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