Dr. Patty Zakaria's career spans both consultancy and academia, where she has established herself as a consultant with deep expertise in governance, corruption, and anti-corruption. In academia, Dr. Zakaria's experience spans teaching roles in Canada, the USA, and Croatia. She integrates real-world insights into her teaching, enriching the academic experience. Her experience is defined by her contributions to various high-impact global projects, demonstrating a keen insight into navigating complex issues. Her dual roles allow her to apply her practical insights to an academic setting, enriching her teaching and research with real-world experience.

Dr. Zakaria's consultancy work in developing the Western Hemisphere Anti-Corruption Index (WHACI) and her contributions to the Business Resilience Assistance for Value-Adding Enterprises (BRAVE) project in multiple countries underscore her expertise in governance, innovation, business continuity, and anti-corruption strategies. She was pivotal in the WHACI project, where her analytical work contributed significantly to constructing the corruption resilience index, enhancing the WHACI online dashboard, and co-authoring sections of the WHACI report.

Dr. Patty Zakaria's participation as a team member in the 2019 Annual Development Effectiveness Report for the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) showcased her focused expertise on state fragility. Her work, emphasizing small and medium-sized enterprises in fragile states, underlines her deep understanding of specific challenges in international development within this context. In addition, she's a lead researcher in exploring the digital divide among Indigenous communities in Canada, demonstrating her commitment to bridging gaps through technology.

With a Ph.D. in Political Science from Wayne State University, Dr. Zakaria's background provides a solid foundation for her consultancy work. Her diverse experience, strategic insights, and dedication to impactful research make her a valuable addition to the GCRI team.