Welcoming Our New CEO: A Commitment to Learners and Collaboration

April 2, 2025

This week, The Attainment Network celebrates Rana Tarkenton as she steps into the role of Chief Executive Officer.  

 

After serving as our Chief Operating Officer for the last five years, Rana brings both continuity and a clear vision for strengthening partnerships and designing education-to-career systems that meet the needs of today’s workforce and increase opportunities for learners. 


"As I step into the role of CEO at The Attainment Network, I feel honored and deeply grateful for the privilege of serving this team, our partners, and our communities," said Tarkenton. "These are challenging times for many in education and workforce development. Economic shifts, policy changes, and evolving career pathways require us to double down on collaboration and think creatively about how to support learners and earners while meeting the needs of employers. Even in uncertainty, one thing remains clear: partnership and intentional collaboration are required to create lasting opportunities." 


Under Rana’s leadership, The Attainment Network will continue working alongside partners to: 
✅ 
Amplify learner and earner voices through meaningful engagement 
✅ 
Foster meaningful collaboration among education, workforce, community leaders, and state-level policymakers 
✅ 
Advance best practices and policies that break down barriers and expand access to meaningful careers 

“By working together, we are driving lasting change that ensures every learner—regardless of background—can step confidently into a high-value career,” Tarkenton emphasized. 


Later this month, we will celebrate the incredible impact our departing CEO has had on this organization. Today, we celebrate Rana, and we invite our partners and community members to connect with Rana and join us in this important work. If you'd like to collaborate or share insights, reach out to us at admin@attainmentnetwork.org 


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The Attainment Network is proud to welcome CareerWise as a collaborating sponsor of our 2025 L/Earner Voice Symposium on Oct 2, 2025 – a free virtual event elevating learner and earner perspectives to inform the design of inclusive, future-ready career pathways. CareerWise's Commitment to Learner-Centered Apprenticeship Design CareerWise Colorado is a national leader in building modern youth and adult apprenticeship models that align with workforce needs while supporting diverse learners. We’re grateful for their leadership and partnership over the years, and especially thankful for their support of this year’s L/Earner Voice Symposium! Featured Session: Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program CareerWise will lead a breakout session featuring learner and earner experiences with their Teacher Degree Apprenticeship -- an innovative pathway that: Prepares future educators through hands-on, paid teaching experience Combines classroom learning with job-embedded mentorship Addresses Colorado’s teacher workforce gap , especially in rural districts Expands access to teaching careers for learners from underrepresented backgrounds Register for this free, virtual event today! Mark your calendar today and plan to join us in the fall for this free, virtual event where learners and earners share insights into how they navigate career exploration, postsecondary transitions, and job preparation in today’s evolving economy. When: Oct. 2 from 9 to 11 a.m. Where: Virtual event Cost: Free Register Today