Erica Carley Harris at Open Atlas Summit 2026

Erica Carley Harris will speak at Open Atlas Summit 2026 in “Alternatives to H-1B: The Visas Nobody Talks About,” a session designed to broaden the immigration conversation beyond the traditional H-1B pathway.

Who Is Erica Carley Harris?

Erica Carley Harris is Director of Growth & Strategy for Cultural Exchange Programs at the American Immigration Council. Her work sits at the intersection of immigration, cultural exchange and strategic program development. In 2026, she has also participated in professional education around the J-1 Research Scholar category and its potential use for private-sector and STEM talent needs.

That perspective makes her especially relevant to professionals who assume the H-1B lottery is the only path available to build a career in the United States.

What Could Erica Cover?

Looking Beyond the H-1B

The session can help attendees understand why U.S. immigration planning should begin with a person’s circumstances and goals rather than automatically starting and ending with H-1B.

Understanding the J-1

Erica's cultural-exchange expertise makes the J-1 category particularly relevant to her perspective, including how exchange-based pathways can work in research and other qualifying contexts.

Matching Immigration Pathways With Career Goals

Different categories serve different purposes. A researcher, founder, student and experienced professional may need very different strategies.

Why Timing Matters

Immigration decisions interact with employment, education and long-term career planning. Understanding alternatives earlier can give professionals more time to evaluate legitimate options.

Why This Session Matters

For many international students and professionals, losing the H-1B lottery can feel like losing their entire plan for America.

But the U.S. immigration system contains multiple categories, each with its own eligibility requirements and limitations.

At Open Atlas Summit 2026, Erica Carley Harris will help bring a broader immigration-policy and cultural-exchange perspective to that conversation—giving attendees a better understanding of why H-1B should not automatically be the only pathway they learn about.

Book your Summit tickets: https://luma.com/8c4qusfp

Visa options depend on individual circumstances and eligibility. The session is educational and does not constitute individual legal advice.