Kirsten Dela Cruz

Current position and employer: Competition Policy Research Officer / Senior Economist, Policy and Markets Division, Philippine Competition Commission

Hometown and current city: Manila, Philippines

Why did you choose McCourt? Aside from being a top-ranked public policy graduate school, I believe that McCourt will further enhance my understanding on the dynamics of markets and regulations. The MPM curriculum also suits me well as it provides foundational and core courses such as public policy process and economic policy analysis. McCourt also offers electives in various policy areas and sectors, which I can align with my policy interests to help advance my career in policy assessment and management.

What professional/ work experience did you have prior to coming to McCourt? I was one of the first few individuals to take on the challenge of propagating the role of competition policy and law in the Philippines. As part of the Policy and Markets Division of an Antitrust Commission, my role is to lead the conduct of market research studies to support the organization’s advocacy, enforcement, and policy-making initiatives.

What has been the best part of your experience so far? My cohort! The connections I’ve built with such amazing individuals from all over the world with different backgrounds and policy interests.

Undergraduate University, degree, and major: University of the Philippines Los Baños, BS in Economics

Hobbies/ Interests: My policy interest also includes competition policy and law. I am also working on a research study on education policy and industrial organization. In my free time, I love exploring DMV area to check museums, parks, and cafes!

Reach out to me about: Life of an international student/moving to DC, process of applying to McCourt, including paperwork and visa application, etc.