Across Colorado and off to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta: We’re on the Move in September

September 2, 2025

The Attainment Network team is joining partners statewide and nationally to advance student success, community collaboration, and bold pathways to economic mobility and opportunity. 

Here’s where you can find us in September: 


🗓️ September 11–12 
🔹
Pathways to Success: Celebrating a Decade of Impact – Washington, D.C.
Michelle will join education and workforce leaders to celebrate a decade of JPMorganChase investments driving innovation in career-connected pathways. 

🔹 Colorado HSI Summit – Glenwood Springs
Katherine will travel to Colorado Mountain College, joining education leaders and students from across the state to advance equity, connection, and student success at Colorado’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions. 


🗓️ September 16–18 
🔹
StriveTogether Cradle to Career Conference – Atlanta, GA
Rana and Michelle are excited to join Rocky Mountain Partnership and  leaders from across the country to explore strategies that put every learner on a path to economic mobility. 

🔹 Chronicle Festival – Online
Libby and Michelle are tapping into to this virtual event to learn about the challenges facing higher education and explore the innovations shaping the future. 


🗓️ September 18 
🔹
Aurora Public Schools Foundation Relentless Gala – Aurora
Stefan will attend the 13th annual gala at the Gaylord Rockies Resort, celebrating APS students and raising funds to expand opportunities for learners. 

🔹 San Luis Valley Harvest Connections – Alamosa
Ashley will connect with employers, workforce partners, and community organizations to strengthen relationships, share opportunities, and support learners and earners in the Valley. 


🗓️ September 25 
🔹
The Attainment Network’s Case Study on the San Luis Valley Career Connected Pathways Partnership – Virtual
Explore how rural communities are coming together to meet employer needs and expand opportunities for learners and earners in healthcare careers.
Register Here for the latest session in The Attainment Network’s Professional Learning Series. 

🔹 Young Invincibles Student Voice Coalition Kickoff – Virtual
Michelle and Katherine will join the new members of the YI Student Voice Coalition to prepare for the 2026 legislative session and discuss opportunities for student-led advocacy at the state and federal levels. 

 
And a sneak peek at October... 

🗓️ October 2 
🔹
L/Earner Voice Symposium – Virtual
Join learners, earners, educators, employers, and policymakers as we work to reimagine career advising systems that meet the needs of Colorado’s future workforce.
Register today for this free online event. 


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