Meet our Founders
Founder & Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Dr. Tera Harris
Dr. Tera Harris is the founder of Harris & Associates and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in immigration psychosocial evaluations. With deep expertise in trauma-informed care, she has conducted hundreds of evaluations for VAWA, asylum, hardship, U-visa, and cancellation of removal cases. Dr. Harris is committed to providing compassionate, culturally sensitive support to immigrant communities across 15+ states.
Owner & Lead Education Consultant
Albie Harris
With over 30 years of experience in education, Albie has served in virtually every role the field has to offer — classroom teacher, coach, principal, and district administrator. That breadth of experience gives him a rare, ground-level understanding of how schools truly operate, and what it takes to navigate their most challenging moments. Albie specializes in coaching administrators and educators through high-stakes situations involving DCF investigations, union matters, and termination proceedings — providing steady, experienced guidance when it matters most. He also works directly with families facing expulsion hearings and special education non-compliance issues, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected. Beyond crisis support, Albie partners with districts and educators on curriculum development, instructional improvement, and special projects — bringing the same commitment to excellence whether the work is urgent or long-term.
Meet the Team
Founding Partner & Community Relations
Jorge Luis Silva Almeida
Jorge Luis Silva Almeida is a founding partner of Harris & Associates who brings a uniquely personal perspective to the work. After relocating from Cuba to the United States in 2021, Jorge joined the team with firsthand knowledge of what it truly means to start over in a new country — and the cultural, emotional, and logistical challenges that come with it. He leads the firm's community relations, communications, and multimedia efforts, serving as a vital bridge between Harris & Associates and the communities it serves. Jorge is a recognized expert in new arrival assimilation, guiding clients through the cultural transitions and practical hurdles of life in the United States. He brings particular depth to supporting the Cuban population navigating the asylum process, combining lived experience with professional expertise to advocate for clients at every step of their journey.
Business Operations Analyst
Tammy Matlock
Tammy Matlock is the Business Operations Analyst at Harris & Associates, bringing over 18 years of expertise in billing, behavioral health insurance, accounts receivable and payable, and accounting. Her deep knowledge of the financial side of healthcare means clients can focus on their cases — not the paperwork. Tammy is more than a numbers expert, though. She is deeply passionate about ensuring that financial barriers never stand between a client and the support they need. With a particular commitment to those navigating asylum cases, Tammy works tirelessly to identify payment solutions, navigate insurance complexities, and find a path forward for every client — because she believes that access to care should never come down to ability to pay.
Senior Immigration Process Specialist
María Smith
Since 2020, María Smith has served as a senior Immigration Process Specialist at Harris & Associates, providing essential leadership across both administrative and clinical operations. In her role, María supervises administrative staff, manages client onboarding, oversees the collection and organization of legal and clinical documentation, and ensures evaluators are fully supported with the materials needed to conduct comprehensive assessments. She coordinates directly with attorneys, clients, and clinical teams to maintain high standards of quality and compliance. Through her leadership, Harris & Associates delivers timely, evidence-based immigration evaluations that support vulnerable individuals and families in navigating complex legal processes.
Director of Client Engagement & VAWA Client Services
Elba Reyes
As Director of Client Engagement and VAWA Client Services, Elba works directly with clients throughout the United States who are pursuing immigration relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). She serves as a dedicated source of guidance and support from the initial stages of the psychosocial evaluation through the client's immigration journey, ensuring each individual feels informed, supported, and empowered throughout the process. Elba specializes in supporting many of the firm's most complex and sensitive cases, providing compassionate, trauma-informed care to clients who have experienced significant abuse, hardship, and adversity. Through consistent communication, empathy, and exceptional client service, she helps clients navigate an often overwhelming process while fostering trust, reducing anxiety, and ensuring they feel heard every step of the way. Her unwavering commitment to client care is an integral part of Harris & Associates' mission to provide exceptional support to every individual we serve.
Senior Expert Consultant, Turkish Language Access & Community Engagement
Ugur Geredeli
Ugur Geredeli serves as a Senior Expert Consultant in Turkish Language Access, Community Engagement & Outreach at Harris & Associates. Since 2025, he has played a key role in advancing culturally responsive communication and expanding access to services for Turkish-speaking individuals across clinical, forensic, and immigration-related settings. In addition to his language and cultural expertise, Mr. Geredeli supports community outreach and marketing efforts within Turkish-speaking communities, helping to build awareness, trust, and meaningful engagement. His work strengthens connections between Harris & Associates and the communities it serves, ensuring services are accessible, culturally informed, and ethically delivered.
Team Support & Operations
Valorie DiTomaso
Valorie DiTomaso is the heart of Harris & Associates — the steady, caring presence who holds the team together both emotionally and operationally. With a natural gift for nurturing relationships and anticipating needs, Valorie keeps things running behind the scenes while making sure everyone feels seen, supported, and valued. Part logistical coordinator, part team mom, Valorie brings the kind of grounded support that creates calm in the chaos. From organizing daily workflows to checking in on colleagues during tough weeks, she embodies the spirit of compassion and connection that makes the workplace feel more like a community. Her role isn't defined by a title — it's defined by how deeply people rely on her presence, how often she lifts others up, and how quietly essential she is to the team's wellbeing and success.
The Harris & Associates Team