The Attainment Network Announces New CEO

March 5, 2025

Rana Tarkenton to take the reins

We are excited to share an important leadership update at The Attainment Network! After a rigorous and transparent search process, our board has unanimously and enthusiastically selected Rana Tarkenton as our new Chief Executive Officer. 


Rana has served as The Attainment Network’s Chief Operating Officer since 2020, and she brings a deep commitment to expanding education and skill-building opportunities for all learners. Her leadership will build on our momentum, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that every learner in Colorado has access to high-value, in-demand career opportunities.  


Rana will officially take over as CEO on April 1, following the transition from Therese Ivancovich, who announced her resignation in December after nine years of exceptional leadership. We are deeply grateful for Therese’s vision, dedication, and lasting impact. 


Rana brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to working in partnership to advance opportunities for all learners. Her leadership will build on our momentum by deepening partnerships, expanding innovative career pathways, and ensuring every learner in Colorado has access to the education and real-world experience they need to succeed in high-value, in-demand careers. 


Prior to joining The Attainment Network, Rana was the founding Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Impact at the University of Colorado Denver. She also served as Chief Operating Officer at the Denver Scholarship Foundation and oversaw statewide college access and outreach programs for the Colorado Department of Higher Education. She began her professional career in Boston in the community arts world before following her heart into the field of educational opportunity programs here in Colorado. 


“The Board has full confidence in Rana and the entire Attainment Network team as they continue to drive forward our mission,” said Andrea Stiles-Pullas, board member and chair of the search committee. “We look forward to this next chapter and the exciting opportunities ahead.” 


Please join us in celebrating Rana

RECENT ARTICLES

April 30, 2025
The Attainment Network team gathered last week to celebrate and thank Therese Ivancovich for her extraordinary leadership over the past nine years. It was a meaningful moment for our team — a chance to express our deep gratitude and share some laughs with an incredible leader who will be greatly missed. During her tenure, Therese grew The Attainment Network from a one-person operation into a respected and trusted organization with a proven track record of creating meaningful, lasting change across Colorado. Her dedication, expertise, and seemingly limitless energy helped shape how communities are preparing learners for today’s high-value, in-demand careers . As Therese steps down, she leaves behind a thriving organization, a powerful network of collaborators, and a lasting legacy of innovation, partnership, and hope for the future. We are deeply grateful for Therese’s leadership — and we are energized to carry forward the vision and momentum she helped build.
April 28, 2025
The Attainment Network team was energized by the collaborative spirit at last week’s Talent Summit and Sector Academy hosted by the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, where Northern Colorado leaders came together to align efforts around workforce needs. Accelerating Progress through Collaborative Action We were honored to support the event and strengthen Northern Colorado’s sector partnerships by leading interactive strategy sessions for the Finance and Non-Profit Sector Partnerships . We brought our unique brand of facilitation to the table, using clear protocols and proven tools to help partners prioritize, align, and turn ideas into tangible strategies. We were also proud to support the Hospitality Sector Partnership alongside Bobbie Wolfe of the Colorado Workforce Development Council , helping deepen the connection between workforce needs and community resources. Data-Driven Insights A highlight of the Summit was the presentation from TIPS Strategies , which introduced an updated Talent Supply and Demand Analysis and Labor Market Profile for Larimer and Weld Counties. This work, part of the Workforce Data and Talent 2.0 initiative, is essential for identifying gaps and opportunities in the local talent ecosystem. Centering Learner Purpose A huge thank you to Mark Perna for his insightful keynote address which resonated deeply with our mission. His emphasis on helping young people find purpose as a way to guide their education and career journeys echoes our belief in centering learner and earner voice in all program design and development. Together with our partners, we’re proud to support the growing momentum across Colorado to create more connected, inclusive, and responsive talent development systems .
April 22, 2025
The April installment of our Professional Learning Series, “Apprenticeships for All” brought together leaders from across Colorado’s education and workforce landscape to explore how apprenticeships can better support learners on their path to high-value careers. A huge thanks to our panelists for sharing their work to expand high-quality apprenticeships and their insights on what it takes to ensure all learners can access and succeed in them: Kevin Riebau of Emily Griffith Technical College Londell Jackson of Apprenticeship Colorado Cori Gerlitz of the Construction Industry Training Council Bill Bicket of Greiner Electric And a very special thanks to Daesha Ottem for sharing her insights as an apprentice and now a project engineer at Greiner Electric ! Discussion Highlights Apprenticeship as a Path to a Degree Kevin Riebau shared the impact of HB25-1221, which was recently signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis. The law will allow EGTC to award Associate of Applied Science degrees to registered apprentices. This advancement creates stronger connections between hands-on learning and long-term career advancement. With more than 11% annual growth in apprentice enrollment , Kevin noted that interest in apprenticeships is higher than ever. EGTC’s offerings include registered apprenticeships in carpentry, electrical work, and voice-data tech—with new programs underway for school food specialists, HVACR, water operations and other high-value careers. Supports That Help Apprentices Succeed Panelists emphasized that apprenticeships are most effective when learners are supported every step of the way. Supports that can support learners in completing include: Flexible scheduling Mentorship and coaching Career navigation Assistance with childcare, transportation, and housing Challenges that Remain Daesha emphasized the need for clearer up-front information about possible career pathways and available supports. She also shared her experiences revealing gaps in continuity across programs, highlighting the need for collaboration across education and industry to support the success of apprentices. The Attainment Network’s Role We continue to: Partner with education and industry to expand access to high-quality apprenticeships Offer technical assistance and guidance for establishing high-quality apprenticeship programs or pursuing continuous improvement of existing programs Elevate strategies that center learner success Resources You can view the PowerPoint slides from the session here , and watch the full recording here. Check out some great resources available to those looking to start or improve apprenticeship programs in Colorado : 🔹 State of Colorado Apprenticeship Resources 🔹 The Attainment Network – Apprenticeship Toolkit 🔹 Emily Griffith Technical College – Apprenticeship Programs