Event Details

14th Annual Native American Human Resources Conference

January 29-30, 2024

Pechanga Resort Casino – Temecula, CA

Event Details

The 14th Annual Native American Human Resources Conference will be held January 29-30, 2024, at The Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, CA. 

There is no better Tribal Human Resource professional development and networking opportunity than with Native Nation Events, and the 14th annual conference will not disappoint. Whether new to the field or a seasoned professional, you’ll gain new skills and connect with peers and pros who will help you achieve your goals and solve your workplace challenges.

At Native Nation Events, we believe networking is at the heart of every conference and ensure that all attendees have ample time to connect and engage. We provide riveting sessions that inspire conversation, breaks built for mingling, and gather the best sponsors that provide actionable solutions to help you reach your goals faster!


Extend Your Stay for the Second Annual Tribal Human Resources Leadership Summit 

HR Departments are often underrated and unrecognized as a major contributing voice within a team. This illustrates the need for focused leadership development among HR professionals. In this training, you’ll learn to take a more proactive role to increase your influence among team members and key decision-makers and to take a larger “seat at the table” and lead your organization through the 21st century.

This is an excellent opportunity to bring your team, dig deep, and unlock the true potential inside each of you to transform your enterprise.

Invest in yourself in 2024 and register for both conferences for $1,495.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

  • Tribal Government HR Department Professionals
  • Compensation and Benefits Professionals
  • Tribal-Owned Enterprise HR Managers
  • Leadership
  • Talent Acquisition and Retention Professionals
  • Organizational Development and Training Personnel
  • Benefits and Recognition Personnel
  • Legal and Compliance

At Native Nation Events, we pride ourselves on offering best-in-class networking events in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. No need for suits and ties; business casual is the preferred dress code for our conferences. 

Register Now To Attend

For Tribal or Tribal Enterprise Representatives

Tribal Super Early Bird

$845

Expires 11/17

Tribal Early Bird

$945

Tribal Standard Rate

$1045

Register for Both the Human Resources Conference and the Leadership Summit

Expires 01/28

Double Conference

$1495

Group Rate (Must have four or more registered)

Group Tribal Super Early Bird

$745

Expires 11/17

Group Tribal Early Bird

$845

Group Tribal Standard Rate

$945

Industry Professionals

Pro Super Early Bird

$945

Expires 11/17

Pro Early Bird

$1045

Pro Standard Rate

$1145

HOTEL INFORMATION

Pechanga Resort Casino

45000 Pechanga Parkway
Temecula, CA 92592

Room Rates:
Saturday:
$299 per night
Sunday to Tuesday: $179 per night

Cut-Off Date: December 28, 2023

Booking Code: 5623891

You must mention Native Nation Events or the Native American Human Resources Conference to receive the discounted rate.

Book Your Room Here

14th Annual Native American Human Resources Conference

January 29-30, 2024

Agenda at a Glance

Monday, January 29, 2024

7:30 - 8:30 AM

Registration and Networking Breakfast

8:30 - 8:45 AM

Opening Remarks

Dan O'Connor

Sponsorship Sales Director | Native Nation Events

Jaylon Jackson

Head of Client Success | Corporate Traditions

8:45 - 9:30 AM

Keynote

Jerrod Murr

Founder & Chief Visionary Officer | Paradigm Shift

9:30 - 10:30 AM

The Great Resignation: Strategies for Rebuilding and Recruiting Your Workforce

Ruth Zaldivar

Human Resources Director | Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises

Gordon Pelosse

Senior Vice President of Employer Engagement | CompTIA

The current labor shortage has made it difficult for workers to find qualified employees. What strategies are HR leaders currently using to find the best talent? Once you get them in the door, how do you keep them engaged?

10:30 - 11:00 AM

Morning Networking Break

11:00 - 12:00 PM

Success Stories Behind Employee Longevity

Melissa Brady

Human Resources Director | MHA Nation

Crystal Hill

National Director of Tribal Services | USI Consulting Group

Robert Silverang

Vice President of Human Resources | Cabazon Band of Cahuilla Indians and Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Denise Abrahamson

Director of Human Resources | Spokane Tribal Enterprises

Hear from your peers as they explain their success stories with retention. Is it the benefits package? Company culture? Or something else that keeps employees engaged and wanting to stay?

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 - 1:45 PM - Track A

Deciding the Right Benefits Package for Your Employees

Nick Nicolls - Moderator

Owner and Founder | GITW Benefits

Allie Plute

Human Resources Director | Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe

TeriLynne Kisto

Human Resources Director | Gila River Indian Community

Sam Lieberman

Sales Director | PTO Exchange

Benefits are a means to attract desirable employees to your business, but which benefits are suitable for your employees? Learn how to choose the best inter-generational benefits strategy attractive to the diversity of your workforce.

1:00 - 1:45 PM - Track B

TBA

1:45 - 2:30 PM - Track A

The Importance of Clinical Programs In Your Prescription Benefits

Sarah Biank

Senior Account Executive: Employee Benefits | CarelonRX

In this session, discover how a consultative approach to prescription benefit management delivers a true cost impact while demonstrating pharmacists’ role in enhanced coordination of care. By bringing in pharmacogenetics guides, providers can improve patient safety and reduce wasteful healthcare spending. Additionally, the impact of data mining to ensure current protocols and the roles of scientific innovation and new specialty medications in rising drug costs will be discussed.

1:45 - 2:30 PM - Track B

Preparing the Future of Your Organization

Jerrod Murr - Moderator

Founder & Chief Visionary Officer | Paradigm Shift

Andrew Deusen

Chief Human Resources Officer | Nisqually Red Wind Casino

Preparing your tribe or business for the future means identifying the skills, knowledge, and capabilities needed to fulfill certain positions and then determining the best fit. What types of programs should you implement to create an optimal succession plan, and how do you identify the talent that might fulfill those future roles?

2:30 - 3:00 PM

Afternoon Networking Break

3:00 - 4:15 PM

HR Executives Roundtable: Generational Differences

Paula Allen

Director of Leadership Development & Guest Services | 7 Cedars Resort Properties

Elise Campbell

Executive Director of Human Resources | Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise

Melinda Iverson

Director of Human Resources | Minnesota Chippewa Tribe - White Earth Band

Generations are defined not only by their birth year but by their unique worldviews and mindsets. What struggles could you face hiring a workforce composed of differing ages, and how do you create a work environment each will want to stay in?

4:15 PM

Day One Concludes

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

7:30 - 8:15 AM

Registration and Networking Breakfast

8:15 - 9:15 AM

Employment Law Update

Kehl Van Winkle

Attorney | MCTLAW

Discuss and discover the latest FMLA and TERO updates, along with the newest federal legislation and what it means for your tribe and business. 

9:15 - 10:00 AM - Track A

AI: Optimizing the Workforce or an HR Nightmare?

Laurel Reding

Human Resources Director | The Chickasaw Nation

Artificial Intelligence is being used by HR departments to hire qualified individuals, determine layoffs, and track performance. But it is also under scrutiny by state, federal, and international governments. Is AI beneficial to your bottom line, or does it come with too many pitfalls?

9:15 - 10:00 AM - Track B

TBA

10:00 - 10:30 AM

Morning Networking Break

10:30 - 11:15 AM - Track A

Keeping Up Productivity With Remote and Hybrid Work

Lynn Faraca-Bond

Senior Vice President of Human Resources | San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

Patrick Higgins

Human Resources Director | Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes

Offering remote and/or hybrid positions is one of the many tools to attract and retain qualified employees. But for tribes and casinos, there always needs to be someone in the office or on the floor. How do you balance the front-line workforce with those who have remote or hybrid positions?

10:30 - 11:15 AM - Track B

Managing Drugs, Alcohol, Violence, and Bullying in Your Workplace

Denise Miño

Human Resources Learning and Development Professional | Chehalis Tribe

Failing to plan is planning to fail. What do you do when employees break the code of conduct? This could include drug and alcohol abuse, violence, or bullying. Do you have a de-escalation plan? Are your employees aware of the potential legal consequences? Learn about the importance of a crisis management plan and how it can de-escalate harmful situations.

11:15 - 12:15 PM

Small Group Discussions

Spend two 30-minute sessions diving deeper into a topic of your choice. You and your peers will determine the issues a few weeks before the conference, ensuring relevant conversation and the most insightful observations. 

12:15 - 1:15 PM

Networking Lunch

1:15 - 2:15 PM

The Mental Health Crisis in America and Your Role in Helping Employees

Terasita Cowan

Benefits Manager | Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises

Zephyr Krapfel

Director of Human Resources | Rolling Hills Casino and Resort

Exasperated by the current economy, everyday life stresses can increase burnout and cause depression and anxiety in the workplace. How can you assist employees with mental health issues, and what are the best strategies?

2:15 - 3:30 PM

HR Executives Roundtable: Leading Through Challenging Times

Whether your executive leadership has found themselves in legal hot waters or a natural disaster has displaced your employees, there needs to be effective leadership to help guide your organization through these challenging times. Listen to how HR Directors create contingency plans and help guide the organization through the various challenges that may arise. 

3:30 - 3:45 PM

Raffle

Sponsor Prize Raffle Drawing will take place immediately after the final session. Winners must be present to win.

3:45 PM

Native American Human Resources Conference Concludes

Denise Abrahamson

Director of Human Resources | Spokane Tribal Enterprises
Read More

Paula Allen

Director of Leadership Development & Guest Services | 7 Cedars Resort Properties
Read More

Sarah Biank

Senior Account Executive: Employee Benefits | CarelonRX
Read More

Melissa Brady

Human Resources Director | MHA Nation
Read More

Elise Campbell

Executive Director of Human Resources | Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise
Read More

Terasita Cowan

Benefits Manager | Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises
Read More

Andrew Deusen

Chief Human Resources Officer | Nisqually Red Wind Casino
Read More

Lynn Faraca-Bond

Senior Vice President of Human Resources | San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
Read More

Patrick Higgins

Human Resources Director | Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes
Read More

Crystal Hill

National Director of Tribal Services | USI Consulting Group
Read More

Melinda Iverson

Director of Human Resources | Minnesota Chippewa Tribe - White Earth Band
Read More

Jaylon Jackson

Head of Client Success | Corporate Traditions
Read More

TeriLynne Kisto

Human Resources Director | Gila River Indian Community
Read More

Zephyr Krapfel

Director of Human Resources | Rolling Hills Casino and Resort
Read More

Sam Lieberman

Sales Director | PTO Exchange
Read More

Denise Miño

Human Resources Learning and Development Professional | Chehalis Tribe
Read More

Jerrod Murr

Founder & Chief Visionary Officer | Paradigm Shift 
Read More

Nick Nicolls

CEO and Owner | GITW Benefits
Read More

Gordon Pelosse

Senior Vice President of Employer Engagement | CompTIA
Read More

Allie Plute

Human Resources Director | Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and 7 Cedars Casino and Resort Properties
Read More

Laurel Reding

Human Resources Director | The Chickasaw Nation
Read More

Robert Silverang

Vice President of Human Resources | Cabazon Band of Cahuilla Indians and Fantasy Springs Resort…
Read More

Kehl Van Winkle

Attorney | MCTLAW
Read More

Ruth Zaldivar

Director of Human Resources | Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises
Read More

Conference Co-Chair

Platinum Sponsors

Paradigm Shift Logo Alt TExt

Product Demonstration

Gold Sponsors

Gitw Benefit Logo Alt Text
USI Consulting Group Alt Text

Exhibitors

Tribal First Logo Alt Text

If you’re interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to our sales team at sales@nativenationevents.org or call them at 201-857-5333 for additional details.

HR Professionals, Tribal Leaders & Enterprise Representatives

Sponsors and Industry Professionals

The 13th Annual Native American Human Resources Conference was a success! Great sessions with timely information, terrific networking, and industry partners with phenomenal solutions.

Meet Our Advisory Board

Native Nation Events is excited to announce the 14th Annual Native American Human Resources Conference's Advisory Board. This esteemed group of leaders acts as a guiding hand in preparation for the upcoming event; helping to ensure each session is packed with timely content and is full of value. Please join us in welcoming the 2024 member class.