Meet the Guest Speakers: 2023 Indigenous Leadership Summit

Get to know the guest speakers for this year’s Indigenous Leadership Summit! Meet Randy’L Teton.

She is a tribal member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho. Randy’L served as the former Public Affairs Manager for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes for 11 years and was the point of contact for all external media, public relations, and cultural tourism in partnership with regional, tribal, state, and federal agencies. She currently works for the United States Forest Service as a Public Affairs Specialist/Tribal Relations in the Office of Communication in the Washington, DC office.

Her educational background includes the Institute of American Indian Arts, Fort Lewis College, and the University of New Mexico, specializing in U.S. history, Fine Arts, Native American history, and Museum Studies. She has been instrumental in co-producing media projects regarding topics important to Indian Country; these include Cultural Sensitivity training, Native American Business Entrepreneurship, Native Vote, Tribal Government, and the U.S. Census.

Randy’L received the Southeast Idaho Business Journal’s “Twenty under 40” award and the “Idaho Hometown Hero Medal Award,” which recognizes significant dedication and achievement to the Southeastern Idaho community; in 2023, she received the Yellow Rose Award from the Zonta Club of Pocatello for her outstanding work and commitment to improving women and children’s lives to make gender equality a reality for women worldwide; in 2021, she was selected as a “Trailblazing Women of Idaho” only 100 women, historically and contemporary, were chosen statewide. In the same year, she received the “Lifetime Achievement” from Idaho State Journal Business Award and is the first Native American to receive this achievement in Idaho.

Randy’L’s motto is “building bridges is always the key to a better understanding of our world as Native American peoples. We are resilient, beautiful, and strong people that can endure all changes in our life.”

While attending college, Randy‘L served as a model for the U.S. Sacagawea Golden Dollar Coin, first issued in 2000. She toured the country with the U.S. Mint to promote the new coin and served as a motivational and historical speaker of Sacajawea (Shoshone) and her vital role with the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

In her spare time, she spends with her three children collecting coins or spending time outdoors. To learn more, visit her online at www.randylteton.com or follow her on social media under the name Randy’L Teton on Instagram and Facebook.

At this year’s summit, Randy’L will share her knowledge on harnessing the power of your relationships, building rapport, and maximizing your success in academia and beyond.