How the Tech Talent Partnership Got Started
In May 2022 the Colorado State Legislature enacted HB22-1350, the Regional Talent Development Initiative Grant Program, also known as Opportunity Now. The $85 million grant program was to create transformative change for Colorado's workforce through industry and education collaboration. Recipients proposed solutions to deepen intentional alignment and collaboration between Colorado’s secondary, post-secondary, and workforce ecosystems in order to enhance the economic mobility of Colorado’s learners and earners and thereby helping Colorado’s communities recover from COVID-related economic disruption.
In 2023 Activatework was fortunate enough to be selected as an Opportunity Now recipient with a grant of 1.3 million. Activatework’s founder and CEO, Helen Hayes, brings deep roots in the Tech & IT employer space and leads the Steering Committee of employers. Built by business leaders, for businesses, the Partnership launched in December of 2023 with 20 employer partners and 18 Edu Task Force members across JeffCo, Adams12, DPS, CCCS, MSU, CMU, and UCD. Together through 5 identified critical jobs and action plans, the partnership is focused on deploying strategies and tools to co-design talent supply chains that connect learners and workers to jobs and career advancement opportunities.
This funding supports advancing authentic employer leadership in co-creating streamlined, high-performing talent pipelines across various programs in our education system.
Expanding the Cyber Analyst Pathway - Talent Success Stories
Geraldine Alden, Cyber Analyst Apprentice, Cyber Sainik
Castle Rock, Colorado
Geraldine is currently a Cyber Analyst Apprentice at Cyber Sainik, where she has demonstrated her skills and dedication. She graduated from the ActivateWork Security Fundamentals bootcamp on October 6, 2023, building on her bachelor’s degree in Computer Networking and Cybersecurity, along with a minor in Computer Science. Despite facing challenges in finding work due to a lack of experience, Geraldine was determined to advance in the field, leading her to join our bootcamp. The hands-on experience she gained, especially through her capstone project, played a crucial role in securing her apprenticeship at Cyber Sainik. Her exceptional contributions and skillset have led to her conversion to a full-time employee, even as she continues to complete her apprenticeship.
Jackson Bennett, Cyber Analyst Apprentice, Cyber Sainik
Westminster, CO
Jackson is one of our youth apprentices, making a successful transition from the hospitality industry into the tech industry. He joined an ActivateWork bootcamp to help upskill and move into a job in tech, and during his capstone project at MSU, he caught the attention of the team at Cyber Sainik with his natural ability to build rapport. Impressed by his interpersonal skills, they quickly arranged an interview, leading to his hire directly out of bootcamp. Jake graduated from his bootcamp on [insert date], and within weeks, started at Cyber Sainik. Since then, he has continued to expand his skillset through ongoing upskilling in his apprenticeship.
Elena Kim, Cyber Analyst Apprentice, Credit Union of Colorado
Denver, CO
A multicultural professional with Russian, Korean, and Uzbekistan roots, Elena moved to the US at the age of 24 without knowing any English. Her diverse professional experience as a former accountant, bakery manager, photographer, and real estate agent has provided her with a rich skill set that she now brings to her tech career.
Elena’s journey at the Credit Union of Colorado exemplifies dedication and growth. As she neared her six-month milestone, Elena’s enthusiasm and engagement in her help desk responsibilities were evident.
“When I was an accountant, I worked with QuickBooks and often collaborated with my best friend, who is a cybersecurity specialist. Watching her work and asking questions sparked my fascination with the process.”
Her commitment to continuous learning and development is evident as she aims to transition from an end-user specialist to a full-time help desk technician, with a future goal of moving into cybersecurity.
Pursuing a CompTIA Security+ certification upon transitioning to full-time status highlights her dedication to advancing her skills and career within the organization. Elena credits her ActivateWork career coaches for playing a crucial role in providing the necessary guidance and resources for her personal and professional growth.
“My coaches at ActivateWork have been instrumental in ensuring that I received the guidance and resources I need for professional development.”
Elena’s story is a testament to resilience, growth, and the relentless pursuit of excellence! Her journey is an example of what can be achieved with hard work and the right support.
Tech Talent Partnership Welcomes Executive Advisory Board
The TTP is fortunate to have world-class leaders on its Board. Professionals from business, government, education, venture capital, and workforce sectors enable TTP to conduct its mission impacting talent ROI for business and economic mobility for Coloradans. Their unique perspectives and leadership are invaluable to our overall success.
Alison Griffin LinkedIn
Alison Griffin is a Senior Vice President at Whiteboard Advisors, where she has been a leading voice in education innovation and workforce development. Her extensive experience in higher education and public policy makes her an invaluable asset to TTP as we work to align our initiatives with broader educational reforms and workforce needs.
Brittany Morris Saunders LinkedIn
Brittany Morris Saunders, with her deep expertise in government relations and public affairs, is poised to help TTP navigate the complexities of policy and regulation. As a strong advocate for business and public-private partnerships, Brittany will be instrumental in ensuring that our initiatives resonate across the broader community.
Danielle Ongart LinkedIn
With her extensive background in workforce development, Danielle Ongart is well-positioned to help TTP bridge the gap between education and employment. As the Director of Workforce Initiatives at the Colorado Workforce Development Council, Danielle’s insights into workforce trends and policy will help us move in a direction enabled by policy and best practices.
Debbie Brown LinkedIn
Debbie Brown serves as the President of the Colorado Business Roundtable, where she advocates for policies that support business growth and economic vitality. Her experience in leading statewide business coalitions and her deep understanding of public policy make her an invaluable advisor to TTP. Debbie’s insights will help us craft initiatives that not only address the immediate needs of the tech industry but also contribute to sustaining talent business solutions for Colorado leaders.
Helen Young Hayes LinkedIn
Helen Young Hayes is the Founder and CEO of ActivateWork, where she has led a first of it’s kind workforce non-profit in Colorado to create pathways to high-quality jobs in tech. She also founded the Colorado Inclusive Economy, bringing together over a hundred executives committed to building a more inclusive workforce. Now through the TTP, Helen’s leadership is instrumental to catalyzing the SteerCo towards more effective talent solutions and growing the momentum towards our goals. Her expertise will be crucial in ensuring the tech talent ecosystem pipelines futheres equitable accessible to all Coloradans.
Katherine Keegan LinkedIn
Katherine Keegan, Director of the Office of the Future of Work at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, is a forward-thinking leader in workforce development. Her expertise in preparing workers for the jobs of tomorrow aligns with TTP’s vision of anticipating and addressing the challenges of the future tech workforce.
Kathryn Harris LinkedIn
Kathryn Harris is the President and COO of ActivateWork where she leads the organization’s mission to connect individuals with meaningful careers in tech. With her extensive experience in workforce development and a strong focus on operational excellence, Kathryn is dedicated to creating pathways that equip l/earners with the skills needed for success in the tech industry. Her depth of relationships combined with her expertise supports TTP in leading the way for streamlined pathways for l/earners in Colorado.
Scott Laband LinkedIn
Scott Laband, President of Colorado Succeeds, has been a driving force in aligning education with workforce needs for over a decade. Colorado Succeeds has set the standard in best practices as an intermediary for the construction employer network, and his leadership will guide TTP in ensuring that our work to enhance intermediary effectiveness through AI is applicable cross-sectors, elevating all efforts, as opposed to creativing duplication.
Taylor McLemore LinkedIn
As the founder of the Human Potential Summit and Innagural Managing Director of Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator, Taylor McLemore brings an entrepreneurial lens and deep understanding of the tech ecosystem and employers’ needs to TTP. His investment experience will be essential in ensuring TTP remains focused on working towards scalable, evergreen solutions that streamlines education to workforce solutions for the SteerCo.
Dr. Valentina Iturbe-LaGrave LinkedIn
Dr. Valentina Iturbe-LaGrave is a leader in building a tech workforce that reflects the diversity of our society. With her deep expertise in inclusion training she currently serves as Head of the Google School where she oversees Onboarding, Googler Development, Inclusive Learning & Development. Formerly she served as Director of Inclusive Teaching Practices at the University of Denver. Her commitment to creating inclusive learning environments will support TTP’s in evaluating talent pipelines through a data-centric approach. She is a leader in building a tech workforce that reflects the diversity of our society.
The collective expertise of our Executive Advisory Board members will be instrumental in guiding the Tech Talent Partnership as we work to build a stronger, more inclusive tech workforce in Colorado. Their insights will shape our strategic initiatives, drive innovative workforce development, and help create a lasting impact across the state and beyond.
We look forward to the transformative work that will come from this collaboration and the positive changes it will bring to the tech industry in Colorado.