Name a sport, she's played it. Name an adventure, she's done it. Name a challenge, she's up for it!

Carissa brings a background to Absolute Adventures as varied as her personality. Growing up in New Jersey, she tried her hand at most every sport and eventually decided to focus on spring board diving. From the age of 7 through the end of her college years, Carissa trained intensively and experienced much success. After becoming the NJ High School State Champion multiple times, Carissa decided on Stanford University for her college years. Despite her parent's misgivings about the cross-country trek, she couldn't pass up a great education or the sunshine and palm trees. At Stanford Carissa was a member of three NCAA National Champion Swimming/Diving Teams and was individually the Spring Board National Champion. This earned her a spot on the United States National Diving Team which competed in numerous international events including the World Cup and the World Championships. This was her opportunity to travel far and wide.

Carissa did fit in some time in for studying too. She graduated with a BA in Communications and an MA in Sports Psychology. She tried her hand at photo journalism, at television production with CBS Sports and at coaching. Eventually she decided to get in on the dot com craze. Like many others, Carissa rode the roller coaster and gained much valuable experience.

This is when Carissa decided to follow her true passions - the outdoors and working with people. She spent time working for an adventure travel company that brought her all over the country leading individuals and families on the vacations of their lives. She eventually moved back to San Francisco and, now armed with a great deal of adventure experience, found Absolute Adventures. Carissa brings much trip leading experience, a sense of adventure, and an infectious amount of enthusiasm to Absolute Adventures!