We’re evolving school-to-work systems across Colorado
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2026 Career-Connected L/Earning Conference
Build your capacity to turn policy and ideas into education-to-workforce pathways that deliver real economic mobility. Join peers from across the Mountain West on Oct. 29-30 in Colorado Springs.
News and Updates
We are so excited about the month ahead! We have so many opportunities to connect with our brilliant partners here in Colorado and beyond to learn, explore, and design what’s next for preparing learners and earners for in-demand careers. And the biggest opportunity of all is our Career-Connected L/Earning Conference, Oct. 29-30 in Colorado Springs. We’ve been working on this conference all year, and we can’t wait to see you there! Here’s where you can find us this October: 🗓️ October 7 🔹 Boettcher State of Leadership: San Luis Valley Convening — Fort Garland Who will be the “Next Ten” leaders stepping up in the San Luis Valley? Ashley and Wes will join current and emerging community leaders for a conversation about strengthening the region’s leadership pipeline, building new connections and addressing the “Same Ten People” challenge identified through the Boettcher Foundation’s State of Leadership initiative. 🗓️ October 8 🔹 Postsecondary Talent Development System Transition Advisory Committee — Edwards Michelle Camacho Liu will reconvene with fellow committee members to continue developing recommendations that will guide Colorado’s new unified postsecondary talent development system. If you'd like to join sign up through the RSVP link . 🗓️ October 12-14 🔹 CFO Leadership Conference — Westminster Finance executives from across the country, including our own Michelle Payne, will explore emerging trends in leadership, AI and technology, economic conditions, and strategies for strengthening organizational performance. 🗓️ October 13 🔹 Superintendent Meeting — Monte Vista Ashley and Wes will connect with San Luis Valley superintendents to continue strengthening regional collaboration needed for pathways that lead to in-demand careers and economic mobility. 🗓️ October 14-16 🔹 Leading with Value, Building Trust: Lumina State Policy Retreat — Philadelphia Rana will join state teams from across the country for this invite-only convening focused on value-centered postsecondary attainment goals, better alignment between higher education and workforce needs, and how states define and measure credentials of value. 🗓️ October 20 🔹 Human Capital Summit — Arvada As AI and emerging technologies reshape the workplace, what human skills will matter most? Katherine will join employers, executives, HR professionals and community leaders for this Greater Arvada Chamber and Colorado Inclusive Economy event exploring how organizations are staying competitive by investing in people, culture, and innovation. 🔹 Making Pathways Data Useful: Pathways Impact Community Workshop — Virtual Michelle will join partners for a working session focused on making pathways data more useful and actionable. 🔹 CDE Technical Advisory Panel for PWR Accountability Metrics — Virtual Stefan will join his fellow TAP member to work on designing Colorado’s Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness accountability metrics. 🗓️ October 21 🔹 Postsecondary Talent Development System Transition Advisory Committee — Virtual The Transition Advisory Committee reconvenes. 🗓️ October 29-30 🔹 Career-Connected L/Earning Conference — Colorado Springs It’s the event we’ve been looking forward to all year! The entire Attainment Network team will join hundreds of leaders from education, workforce, industry, government, philanthropy and community organizations for two days of learning, connection and collaboration focused on building stronger education-to-career pathways. We hope you’ll join us!
A Q&A with Michelle and Katherine
Behind every great partnership, successful initiative and ambitious idea is an incredible team of people who make it happen. As The Attainment Network continues to grow, we're evolving our team to better support our partners, communities and the work ahead. Please join us in congratulating these team members on their new roles — and getting to know a few of the superpowers they bring to the table. Libby Klingsmith, Vice President for Strategic Partnerships Libby leads with kindness and brings a joyful energy to every partnership. As Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, she'll lead our strategic partnership work, strengthening relationships across sectors and regions, cultivating new partnerships and funding opportunities, and helping translate what we learn through regional implementation into broader learning and impact across Colorado. Michelle Camacho Liu, Director of Partnerships and Systems Strategy Where others see complexity, Michelle sees opportunity. As Director of Partnerships and Systems Strategy, she'll provide strategic leadership across some of The Attainment Network's most important initiatives, including the Denver Metro Regional Partnership, while advancing statewide policy and systems alignment and strengthening partnerships across agencies and sectors. Katherine Stewart, Director of Partnerships and Engagement With her special brand of gentle yet firm leadership, Katherine keeps all our ducks in a row. In her role as Director of Partnerships and Engagement, she'll strengthen collaboration across our regional partnerships through operational leadership while guiding strategic initiatives, consulting services, new business development and grants management. If there are a dozen moving pieces, chances are Katherine already has them organized. Ashley Maestas, Director of Rural Partnerships Ashley has a gift for energizing people around a shared vision. As Director of Rural Partnerships, she'll continue leading the San Luis Valley regional partnership and its healthcare and construction pathway initiatives while helping other rural communities build the partnerships and systems needed to expand opportunity for learners and earners while meeting critical workforce needs. Wes DeVaul, Coordinator of Operations and Rural Partnerships Wes reminds us to laugh while he rolls up his sleeves and makes things happen. As Coordinator of Operations and Rural Partnerships, he'll help expand the San Luis Valley's successful healthcare pathways model into construction and other high-demand industries while supporting the partnerships that make this work possible. Emily Chatburn, Coordinator of Operations and Professional Learning Emily is our behind-the-scenes mastermind, turning ambitious plans into seamless execution. As Coordinator of Operations and Professional Learning, she'll lead our professional learning and events strategy, provide project management for key strategic initiatives and strengthen the day-to-day operations that keep our work moving forward.
CaREER ADVISING & NAVIGATION
The Attainment Network is launching a Career Advising & Navigation initiative to align advising across K-12, postsecondary, and workforce systems — so every learner has clear guidance toward in-demand careers, economic mobility, and a life of purpose.
Build What Works. Learn What Matters.
Join our Professional Learning Series to explore practical strategies, emerging research, and real-world examples that are shaping education-to-career pathways. Designed for leaders and practitioners ready to drive impact.
