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Ep 11: Danielle Goldman, Co-Founder and Director at Open Avenues

Understanding cap-exempt H1B visas, eligibility criteria, who should think about it, work at Open Avenues to help companies retain talent, and options available to those who don't get picked up in the H1B lottery.

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Summary

Danielle Goldman, Co-Founder and Director at Open Avenues, joins us in this episode to help us understand Cap-Exempt H1B visas, eligibility criteria, who should think about it, her work at Open Avenues to help companies retain talent, and options available to those who don't get picked up in the H1B lottery.

About Danielle:

Danielle is Co-Founder and Executive Director at Open Avenues where she leads the organization's efforts to build career pathways in STEM and business for both foreign talent and U.S. students. The organization provides a unique work visa solution for foreign nationals, while educating students from colleges and universities across the country in high-demand fields. Open Avenues is demonstrating that value that foreign nationals bring to society and the economy when they are able to stay, work, and build in the U.S.

Prior to founding Open Avenues, Danielle worked at Rabin Martin, a boutique consulting firm based in New York City where she built social impact strategies, partnerships, and programs for Fortune 100 healthcare companies. Danielle is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and part of the 2019/2020 Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab Accelerator program at Babson College. She also serves on the boards of City Awake at the Boston Chamber of Commerce and the One Little Light Foundation. Danielle received her B.A. in Political Science and Managerial Studies from Vanderbilt University.

Links

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:49 Danielle's Background

03:41 Open Avenues Origin

06:47 H-1B Visa cap exempt problems

07:56 Visa Sponsor Types

11:07 What prevents people from applying?

13:16 Who should be applying?

15:54 Is a full-time position needed?

17:49 Evolution of Open Avenues model

26:52 Open Avenues Growth

30:21 Is Open Avenues self-sustaining?

33:11 Is there a numerical limit?

33:42 Common Reasons for not getting in the program

37:29 Using stories to change sentiments towards immigrants

40:07 How a foreign national changes the life of a US citizen

43:26 Are there other organizations like the Open Avenues?

44:47 Contacting Danielle Goldman

47:07 Q&A

52:03 Wrap up