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Dr. Benny Rieth is the founder of BelongingU: Rieth Strategy Solutions and a higher education leader, speaker, researcher, and consultant dedicated to creating communities where every person feels seen, valued, connected, and empowered to thrive. As an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a descendant of the Menominee Nation, Dr. Benny’s work is deeply rooted in Indigenous ways of being and guided by the Five Rs—Relationships, Responsibility, Respect, Relevance, and Reciprocity. These principles serve as the foundation for his approach to leadership, strategic planning, organizational development, and belonging-centered transformation.
With nearly a decade of experience in higher education, Dr. Benny has led initiatives across student affairs, enrollment management, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), student engagement, and first-year experience. Throughout his career, he has partnered with institutions to strengthen campus culture, redesign programs and services, increase student success, and cultivate environments where individuals can authentically belong. His research and professional practice focus on belonging as a transformative way of being—one that fosters connection, purpose, resilience, and community.
Dr. Benny is known for his ability to blend research, storytelling, optimism, and Indigenous knowledge into engaging and actionable experiences. Whether consulting with colleges and universities, facilitating strategic planning initiatives, coaching student leaders, or delivering keynote presentations, he challenges organizations to move beyond transactional approaches and toward cultures grounded in genuine relationships and collective care. His work helps institutions align their mission, vision, and values with practices that support both individual and organizational flourishing.
An accomplished scholar and practitioner, Dr. Benny has contributed to the field through research, publications, conference presentations, and national leadership roles. His work explores student belonging, Indigenous paradigms, organizational culture, and the power of relationships in fostering meaningful change. He has been recognized with several professional honors, including the Young Professional of the Year Award, the Outstanding Contribution to Indigenous Higher Education Research Award, and the Student Champion Award. He is also the author of multiple articles on belonging and Indigenous paradigms and is currently developing a book highlighting the stories and experiences of LGBTQ individuals across Wisconsin.
At the heart of Dr. Benny’s work is a simple yet powerful belief: belonging is not merely an outcome—it is a way of being. Through BelongingU: Rieth Strategy Solutions, he partners with organizations to strengthen culture, foster connection, and create communities where people, teams, and institutions can thrive together. His mission is to help others reimagine what is possible when belonging becomes the foundation for leadership, learning, and organizational success.
Since 2025, BelongingU has been proud to partner with the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project in support of the Queer Wisconsin Stories (QWS) project. Through this collaboration, Dr. Rieth has contributed to the impact of preserving and elevating LGBTQ stories, unseen narratives, and hidden histories from across the state.
