Learn from the Leaders Shaping the Future of Learning and Work
The Career-Connected L/Earning Conference brings together influential voices from education, workforce, business, government, philanthropy, and industry to explore the ideas, partnerships, and innovations transforming how learners connect to meaningful careers.
Over two days, you'll hear from nationally recognized keynote speakers, Colorado leaders, practitioners, researchers, employers, educators, and learners who are driving real change across the education-to-workforce ecosystem.
Whether you're looking for strategic insights, practical tools, innovative programs, or inspiring success stories, you'll find sessions designed to inform, challenge, and equip you to move your work forward.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER - Chris Gardner: Rebuilding the American Dream
We are thrilled to announce that bestselling author, entrepreneur, and workforce equity advocate Chris Gardner will keynote the 2026 Career-Connected L/Earning Conference. Known around the world as the inspiration behind The Pursuit of Happyness, Gardner’s story of resilience, determination, and economic mobility has inspired millions.
His keynote — “Rebuilding the American Dream, One Good Job at a Time” — could not come at a more important moment. As education, industry, policy, and community leaders work to strengthen pathways to economic mobility, Gardner will challenge attendees to rethink what it takes to ensure every learner and earner has access to meaningful careers and long-term success.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER - BILL BURNETT: THINK LIKE A DESIGNER
Bill Burnett, co-author of the bestselling book Designing Your Life and Executive Director of the Life Design Lab at Stanford University, will help us think like designers during his keynote at the Career-Connected L/Earning Conference this October.
Designing clear, streamlined pathways to opportunity and economic mobility for learners and earners has never been easy. And as industries evolve and policies shift, getting it right has never been more important.
Bill will bring his interactive, design-thinking approach to help us explore new ways to approach this complex work — and build career pathways that lead to lives with purpose, joy and meaning for learners and earners.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERS PANEL
Aligning Education and Workforce for Colorado's Future
As Colorado continues to strengthen connections between education and workforce systems, community colleges play a vital role in preparing learners for meaningful careers while helping employers meet evolving talent needs.
Join an engaging conversation with four of Colorado's leading community college presidents as they explore how institutions are adapting to changing workforce demands, building stronger partnerships with industry, and creating pathways that expand opportunity for learners across the state.
Panelists
- Dr. Marielena DeSanctis - Chancellor, Colorado Community College System
- Dr. Mordecai Brownlee - President, Community College of Aurora
- Dr. Lance Bolton - President, Pikes Peak State College
- Dr. Rosana Reyes - President, Lamar Community College
Moderated by Melanie D'Evelyn, One Million Degrees
Together, these leaders will discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping higher education today—from responding to regional workforce needs and strengthening employer partnerships to advancing economic mobility and ensuring every learner has access to high-quality career-connected pathways.
Whether you're an educator, employer, policymaker, workforce professional, or community leader, this session will offer valuable insights into how Colorado's community colleges are helping build a more connected, responsive, and opportunity-driven education and workforce ecosystem.
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