On the Move in August: From Statewide Forums to Quantum Futures

July 31, 2025

We’re feeling the August energy – and it’s not just from the sunshine and farmers market bounty. As we get ready for the start of a new school year, we’re excited about the growing momentum across our beautiful state to reimagine education-to-workforce systems that truly work for learners and earners. 


This month, The Attainment Network team is heading into forums, learning tours, and convenings that focus on community collaboration, leadership, and future-facing innovation. We’re excited to listen, learn, and celebrate the incredible work happening across the state. 


Here’s where you can find us this month: 


🗓️ Thursday, August 8 
🔹
Community Impact Forum: State of Education – Arvada
Michelle is joining this annual conversation hosted by the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce, where leaders will explore topics shaping the future of K–12 and postsecondary education in Jeffco – including school start time equity, mental health, career pathways, and business partnerships. 


🗓️ Tuesday, August 12 
🔹
HA.HA. (High Action. High Alignment.) Sisterhood Gathering – Denver
Rana is honored to join this bold panel of women leaders committed to solving complex challenges through collective action, shared leadership, and true alignment. This evening will spotlight what’s possible when Colorado’s women leaders lead
together – not in parallel. 


🗓️ Tuesday, August 12 

🔹 Quantum Workforce Collaborative meeting – Online
Rana and Michelle will join Elevate Quantum, NVIDIA, Spark Photonics, and the Colorado Governor’s Office for updates on quantum education initiatives. 
 

🗓️ August 13–15 
🔹
CO Project 2.0 Learning Tour – San Luis Valley
Ashley was invited to participate in this exciting initiative – led by the Scrivner Institute and the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs – to uncover and scale the most promising economic, workforce, and sustainability solutions emerging from Colorado’s rural communities. Ashley is excited to elevate the career-connected pathways partnership as a national model of innovation and resilience. 


🗓️ Wednesday, August 21 
🔹
Colorado Talent Academy – Vail Valley 
Libby and Michelle will join a statewide cohort of talent leaders to explore regional solutions and strategies for employer engagement, as part of a larger effort to align talent development across Colorado. 


🗓️ Tuesday, August 27 
🔹
State of the Data: Longitudinal Data System Convening – Virtual
Join us at 10 a.m. for a virtual session featuring state leaders sharing milestones and next steps for Colorado’s Longitudinal Data System. This is a key moment to learn more and engage with the future of education-to-workforce data.
Register Here


🗓️ Wednesday, August 28 
🔹
Quantum Commons Open House – Boulder
Rana, Michelle and Katherine are looking forward to celebrating the grand opening of the first major building on the Quantum Commons campus an emerging hub for innovation and workforce collaboration. This open house will bring together partners and community leaders from across the growing quantum ecosystem. 

We hope to see you at one of these events—or hear from you if you’re working on similar efforts in your region. We’re always looking to share ideas, elevate stories, and support the progress that’s already underway. 

RECENT ARTICLES

October 28, 2025
Highlights from the 2025 Learner Voice Symposium
October 27, 2025
Reanna Werner, Co-Founder of Savvion HQ in Colorado Springs, brings a unique blend of experience across human resources, workforce development, and small business leadership to her role on The Attainment Network Board. Reanna is deeply committed to building resilient talent pathways that support both learner success and business growth. In this Board Spotlight , she shares the motivation behind her involvement, a piece of advice that still shapes her leadership, and why aligning education and workforce systems is critical to Colorado’s economic future. 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? I joined The Attainment Network because I believe education and workforce development are the engines of economic vitality. Ensuring we have a skilled workforce not only opens doors for learners and earners, it strengthens businesses and communities alike. My background in HR, apprenticeships, and workforce partnerships has shown me that when people are equipped with skills and pathways to grow, entire regions thrive. 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? My career has given me a 360-degree view of the education-to-workforce pipeline. From leading corporate HR to running my own business, to advising small businesses, and working directly within workforce systems, I’ve been able to see both sides of the equation—what employers truly need and what learners are prepared to bring. That perspective has shown me the importance of aligning education with the rapidly changing demands of industry, especially as technology, skills, and business models evolve. I’ve also seen how critical it is to support learners with not only technical skills, but also pathways, mentorship, and access to real-world experiences like apprenticeships. Meeting industry needs isn’t just about filling jobs—it’s about building adaptable, resilient talent pipelines that benefit both employers and communities. Q: What’s a piece of career advice you’ve received that still sticks with you, and who offered you that advice? A piece of advice that has always stayed with me came from my former boss and mentor, who told me to “always sit in the front row.” It’s simple but powerful—by sitting up front, you stay more engaged, retain more, and position yourself to be noticed. Over time, I’ve seen how true this is, not just in classrooms or meetings, but in every professional setting. Those who lean in, take the front row, and fully engage often find more opportunities for growth and advancement. 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? What excites me most about the future of The Attainment Network is its ability to directly strengthen Colorado’s economic vitality. By aligning education and workforce systems, we can ensure employers have access to the skilled talent they need to innovate and grow. That not only fuels business competitiveness but also creates more resilient career pathways for learners and earners. The result is a stronger, more adaptable workforce that drives prosperity for entire communities across the state. Q: What book is on your bedside table? Would you recommend it? Why or why not? It’s hard for me to pick just one book—I usually have four to six going at a time. Right now, I’m reading $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi as part of an office book club, A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger, and re-reading Traction by Gino Wickman. Each one challenges me to think differently about growth, leadership, and problem-solving. And alongside those, I always keep my Bible close as a source of grounding and perspective.  I’d recommend all of them for different reasons: Hormozi for entrepreneurial strategy, Berger for cultivating curiosity, Wickman for business discipline, and the Bible for timeless wisdom and reflection.
By Rana Tarkenton October 23, 2025
Catalysts for Connection: The Critical Role of Intermediaries in Education-to-Career Pathways