Shining a Spotlight on our Board
Andrea Stiles Pullas on Building a More Connected Ecosystem
Andrea Stiles Pullas brings a systems-level perspective – and a personal commitment to adult learners – to her role on The Attainment Network Board. With years of experience in workforce and community development, she has seen the power of connecting people, institutions, and opportunities across Colorado. In this Board Spotlight, Andrea reflects on what drew her to The Attainment Network, the advice that continues to guide her, and why she believes this work is essential.
Q: What inspired you to get involved with The Attainment Network, and why is expanding education and career opportunities for learners and earners so important to you?
A. I worked for many years with adult learners and am passionate about helping them gain recognition for the skills they already have, connect to meaningful credentials, and ensure their learning journey connects in a relevant way to career opportunities. This interest perfectly aligns with the work of The Attainment Network. I have witnessed firsthand the power of The Attainment Network's work in connecting and aligning institutions across the ecosystem to benefit all Colorado learners.
Q: How have your personal or professional experiences shaped your understanding of the shifts needed in our education-to-workforce systems to better support learners and meet industry needs?
A. In my work in community and workforce development, I have experienced the many barriers that exist between and across institutions. The current landscape was not designed with a learner journey in mind – this is what The Attainment Network is working to change.
Q: What’s a piece of career advice you’ve received that still sticks with you, and who offered you that advice?
A. "Our flight through life is sustained by the power of our knowledge" – This quote is on a plaque, given to me by my Dad, Randy Stiles – a passionate lifelong learner who has inspired that same mentality in me.
Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of The Attainment Network and its impact on learners, earners, and entire communities across the state?
A. When The Attainment Network first started, the work focused on building awareness and buy-in around the importance of establishing connective tissue across the ecosystem. Fast forward to today, the work has evolved into figuring out what works and what doesn't in implementation and aligning interests in a sustainable way. The Attainment Network is leading the way in this work and plays a critical role in driving action in our state’s career-connected learning ecosystem. I am honored to support the organization and its incredible team as a member of the Board.
Q: What book is on your bedside table? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?
A. The Book of Delights – I love this book and its short vignettes about the delights that surround us. It remains on my bedside table as a reminder of the goodness in this world – we can find it everywhere if we choose to look.
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