Shairra is the co-founder and Behavioral Insights and Innovation Head at AHA! Behavioral Design -– an agency that uses applied behavioral science to embed culture-changing behaviors in diverse communities.

She manages a portfolio of behavioral nudge projects in the areas of public health, financial inclusion, and active citizenship.

In 2020, she worked with the Department of Health (DOH) on a program to increase the practice of wellness behaviors among COVID-19 healthcare professionals.

This program is earmarked to be part of DOH’s strategic policy plan as the first mental health program for public hospitals. Through her previous roles in community development, Shairra noticed how marketing campaigns and education drives did not always lead to positive behavior change as seen through repeated patterns of knowledge-action gaps.

This led her to research on the science behind behavioral change. Her long-term vision is to build up the capacity of leaders to use Behavioral Design to incite healthier and more productive behaviors that will enable Filipinos to live happier lives.

Through thee EI fellowship, Shairra looks forward to being part of a co-learning environment and to learn best practices for systems change, which she can utilize to develop the Philippines’ first Public Health Behavioral Change Lab.