Carissa Bianca Ultra

Carissa specializes in energy security, health care and human security research. She currently serves as a program and research associate at the Stratbase Institute, where she conducts policy research and analyzes sectoral trends in defense and security.

Carissa has held key roles in institutions focused on governance, diplomacy and social development. As a project officer for the nonprofit organization SPARK! Philippines, she led flagship campaigns on women’s health and empowerment in collaboration with foreign embassies. At the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, she contributed to peace and security programs. During her internship at the Institute for Solidarity in Asia, she facilitated strategic planning workshops and supported the alignment of governance frameworks with national government agencies.

Carissa earned a bachelor’s degree in diplomacy and international relations specializing in East and Southeast Asian studies from Ateneo de Manila University, graduating cum laude.