About the webinar
Join Business of Light, in collaboration with Equity in Lighting and Asian Lighting Community, for a candid conversation on H-1B visas in lighting design.
Immigration attorney Elaine Kimbrell joins David Seok and Elaine Cook to unpack what’s changing in 2026, how wage levels impact designers, and what firms can do to better support international talent.
Real insight. Real stories. Real implications for designers and studios alike.
The lighting design industry depends on global talent—but navigating the U.S. visa system is becoming increasingly complex.
What outcomes will you achieve from this webinar?
This timely webinar will examine upcoming H-1B lottery and wage level changes, alternative visa pathways, and what responsible talent care looks like for lighting firms today.
Who is this for?
Designed for international designers, studio leaders, and firm owners, the session offers clarity, context, and practical guidance for hiring, retention, and long term career planning.
About the speakers
David Seok (Studio Leader, The Lighting Practice)
David Seok is a Studio Leader at The Lighting Practice’s New York office, where he oversees projects ranging from corporate interiors, healthcare, hospitality, façades and more. A certified lighting designer and past president of the IALD’s NYC chapter, he co-founded the Asian Lighting Community and serves on TLP’s taskforce for culture, belonging, and inclusion.
Elaine Cook (Director of Business Development, Barbican / President, Equity in Lighting)
Elaine Cook is the President and Co-Founder of Equity in Lighting, where she leads initiatives focused on education, mentorship, and structural change to create a more inclusive and representative lighting industry.
With a career spanning manufacturing, specification sales, and business development, Elaine brings a systems level understanding of how the lighting industry operates. Her work at Equity in Lighting is grounded in practical action, building partnerships across professional organizations, developing hands-on educational programming, and creating pathways that connect emerging talent to real opportunities within the industry, while, in parallel, she serves as Director of Business Development at Barbican Lighting, an architectural lighting manufacturer, where she leads product strategy and worldwide market growth. This dual role allows her to bridge advocacy with execution, ensuring conversations about equity are informed by real-world industry dynamics.
Elaine is originally from Ridgeway, Ontario, and immigrated to the United States in 2019. Over the past six years, she has navigated four different work visas across three employers, an experience that has given her firsthand insight into the structural and systemic challenges faced by internationally trained and globally mobile professionals.
Elaine Kimbrell (Owner / Managing Member, Ware | Immigration)
Elaine Kimbrell is the Owner and Managing Attorney of Ware | Immigration, a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans and a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University.
Elaine discovered her passion for immigration law while working for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and joined Ware | Immigration in 2006, where she now specializes in employment-based immigration, advising universities and private employers across industries such as healthcare, energy, and accounting.
A member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and a past Chair of AILA’s Midsouth section, Elaine is a frequent speaker on immigration topics and is committed to delivering exceptional legal solutions to clients.
