Between 2002 and 2012 Zella taught Human Resource Management, and researched careers, innovation and networks. Her research has been published in top academic journals, including Management Science, Research Policy and Human Relations. In 2007 she was awarded a Fellowship of the Advanced Institute of Management Research. Zella now focuses on consultancy and executive teaching. Her aim is for people to feel that their social network is a place where they can be productive, creative and authentic. She works with executives, managers and entrepreneurs to help them overcome common network traps, and use their personal networks to speed up problem-solving and innovation. She also works with Know Innovation, a consultancy that aims to accelerate innovation in science.