Clarisa Merkatz
Fellow
Ms. Clarisa Merkatz joined The Cohen Group in June 2026. She supports clients in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, professional services, defense, and technological sectors, providing geopolitical risk analysis, regulatory assessment, public policy research and monitoring, and business development. She is also a member of the firm’s Latin America practice.
Prior to joining The Cohen Group, Ms. Merkatz earned her Master of Arts in International Relations with honors from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where she was a W. John Kenney Fellow and a Dean's Scholar. Ms. Merkatz also served as Editor-in-Chief of The SAIS Review of International Affairs. She previously interned with the US House of Representatives, Cornerstone Government Affairs, the Women’s Foreign Policy Group, and the US Agency for International Development.
Ms. Merkatz graduated from Yale University, where she majored in Global Affairs and was a Global Health Scholar. Upon graduating, she received the Dirk Gleysteen award for her contributions to the advancement of the discussion of international relations. Ms. Merkatz also served as Co-President of the Yale Policy Institute and was a Research Assistant for the Yale Institute for Global Health. As varsity coxswain of the Yale Men’s Lightweight Crew team, Ms. Merkatz was an Intercollegiate Rowing Association Scholar Athlete, Eastern Sprints Jope Cup champion, and Henley Royal Regatta competitor.
Ms. Merkatz grew up in Connecticut, has held national EMT licensure, and is proficient in French and conversant in Portuguese.