Laura Harris studies sensory anthropology, human listening and human-AI collaboration environments at the University of British Columbia, Canada.

From 2013 to 2020, Harris lead the film and experience team at the first Omidyar and A16Z funded humane tech startup, NationBuilder, as VP of Film. For 25+ years before that she was a film and TV actor known for her quirky taste in material. Roles included series leads in cult fav Dead Like Me with Mandy Patinkin, Defying Gravity with Ron Livingston, and her Screen Actors Guild Award nominated turn in FOX’s runaway hit “24,” with Kiefer Sutherland.

At rest, Laura and her daughter Amma care for their prolific pet snails, Yoda I and II.