Shannon Nicholas of Colorado Succeeds shared insights about Colorado Pathways Development 

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On July 30, 2024, Community Funding Accelerator convened in Denver for their annual meeting, during which local Workforce Development intermediaries shared thoughts on what’s working and what’s not in Colorado.

Colorado Succeeds’ Chief of Staff Shannon Nicholas was joined by Joe McBreen of St. Vrain Valley Schools, Helen Young Hayes of ActivateWork, and Therese Ivancovich of The Attainment Network. Facilitated by Renise Walker of the Colorado Workforce Development Council, the panel of local champions espoused education equity, strengthening state programs under a common umbrella, found success in career pathways, and how the impact is magnified through partnership.

What makes Colorado great is our Western attitude, that can-do attitude. We cannot mandate what schools do, nor what business does, but we can ensure that everyone doing this work is rowing in the same direction.

Shannon nicholas, chief of staff

That spirit of alignment was echoed by other panelists. McBreen stated, “None of us are as smart as all of us.”

Community Funding Accelerator was paramount to drafting the grant request for Colorado to be a Quantum Tech Hub.