Rita Fennelly-Atkinson is the interim chief learner engagement officer at Digital Promise, a global nonprofit working to expand learner opportunities. Her dedication to enabling learner-centered education-to-career pathways aligns with her passion for ensuring equitable access to education and supporting people in achieving their personal and professional goals.

As a first-generation Latina college graduate, Rita is committed to creating inclusive and accessible learning environments for all learners. In 2024, Rita co-authored The Role of Micro-Credentials in Lifelong Learning and Development, released in English and Spanish, which explores how to empower learners with competency-based skill recognition with digital credentials across all contexts.

With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of education and technology, she has served as an educator, instructional designer, technology coach, and researcher. Rita specializes in integrating pedagogy, instructional design, and socially responsible technology to create impactful and inclusive learning experiences. She has supported educational and credentialing initiatives across PK-20+ and nonprofit sectors at the local, state, and national levels. She has also contributed to scholarly work on the role of micro-credentials in lifelong learning and development and accessible instructional practices, focusing on empowering learners and organizations.

She holds a doctorate in instructional systems design and technology from Sam Houston State University, along with a bachelor's degree in biology and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Concordia Irvine. Currently, she is pursuing an MBA at Texas A&M University as a step towards executive leadership.