Cathrine Tzaris J. Pagatpatan is a public sector professional and development advocate with over 17 years of service with the City Government of Davao, where she worked in tourism, investment, and promotions under the Mayor’s Office. Her extensive experience in local governance strengthened her expertise in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, investment promotion, and community-centered development, contributing to initiatives that positioned Davao City as a key destination for tourism and investment.

She currently serves as the Business Development Department Manager of Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC), where she leads initiatives on Gender and Development (GAD), corporate planning, ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems (QMS) as IRCA Certified Lead Auditor, and community and stakeholder engagement. Her work focuses on advancing responsible mining governance and programs aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of ESG, gender inclusion, sustainability, and community resilience.

An Australian Alumni Scholar, she earned her Master of Tourism Management from University of Canberra. She is currently a second-year Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) student at Ateneo de Davao University, with research interests centered on gender-responsive leadership, ESG integration, and sustainable governance within the public and extractive sectors.

She actively promotes collaboration among fellow alumni across government and the private sector and advocates for scholarship and continuing education opportunities that empower employees to pursue further studies and professional growth. She is likewise involved in initiatives related to the proposed Diwalwal Special Economic Zone, supporting inclusive economic development, responsible mineral resource management, and sustainable community-centered growth.