Her Story
About Adia
Adia Doores serves as Director of the Executive Secretariat Office at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she advises senior leadership on correspondence, budget planning, and operational priorities while overseeing the office's daily functions. Since assuming this role in 2020, she has expanded her portfolio to include the agency's EEO program, strategic communications, budget oversight, and human resources matters for the Office of the Administrator, positioning her as a central figure in aligning the front office with departmental goals. Her path to this position began in the early 2000s as a federal contractor supporting executive secretariat functions at the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration, experience that laid the groundwork for her eventual transition into federal service. In 2016, Doores converted to a federal employee at the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) joining as a GS-11 and steadily rising to the position of Deputy Chief of the Executive Secretariat Office within I&A. During her tenure there, she led a team of analysts managing thousands of annual correspondence and task-management actions, while also overseeing training modernization efforts aligned with Intelligence Community standards before departing for FRA in 2020. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for strengthening administrative systems, developing compliance frameworks, and improving workflow efficiency across the federal offices she has supported. Doores holds a bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management with a minor in African American Studies, along with a master's degree in Management, both earned through the University of Maryland Global Campus while she was raising a family. She remains active in numerous professional organizations, including Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) International, the NAACP, the African American Federal Executive Association (AAFEA), and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), reflecting her commitment to community and professional growth. A dedicated mentor as well as a mentee, she encourages young women entering executive office roles to embrace adaptability and empathy while staying focused on getting the work done.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Adia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the steady growth I've experienced since stepping into my role in 2020, which has allowed me to take on responsibility across several important areas, including our EEO programs. I also credit the mentors who have guided me along the way, particularly Mr. Alan Feinberg, Ms. Diane Saunders, and Mr. Michael Lestingi, whose support shaped my development as a leader. Mentorship has meant so much to me that I now make it a priority to mentor younger team members myself, so I can pass that same guidance forward.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to document everything. You never know when a situation may become a challenge or require clarification. Keeping clear and accurate records helps protect your credibility, provides accountability, and ensures you have the facts when questions arise.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The first thing I would tell anyone considering a job in an executive office is that you have to be able to adapt. Adaptability is really at the core of this work. It's also important not to take things personally and to lead with empathy, understanding that everyone you work with is dealing with their own challenges. At the same time, you have to set that aside when needed, stay focused, get the job done, and keep moving forward.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is navigating constant change while continuing to meet mission requirements with limited resources. Priorities can shift quickly, leadership expectations evolve, and teams are often expected to accomplish more with less. This creates an opportunity for strong leaders to improve processes, strengthen collaboration, and find more efficient ways to get the work done.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are integrity, accountability, respect, compassion, and service. I believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching, taking ownership of my decisions, and treating everyone with dignity regardless of their position or title. I also value being dependable and supporting others. In my personal life, I carry those same values by being present for the people I care about, leading with compassion, and always remembering the importance of giving back and helping others succeed.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.