Her Story
About Fidelia
Fidelia Israel serves as Operation Manager at the Department of Commerce, a role she has held since 2010. In this position, she manages the internal structure of the department, handling responsibilities across facilities, records, and fleet operations while emphasizing exceptional customer service for all internal stakeholders. Israel began her career at the department as a typist clerk and advanced through various roles, including a decade in the IT department where she taught Microsoft software. She holds a bachelor's degree from India and credits her professional success to her deep faith in God, which she describes as her top priority, combined with a dedication to hard work and avoiding shortcuts. Israel is passionate about empowering women in her professional life and consistently advocates for providing the same high level of service to individuals at all levels of the organizational chain of command.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Fidelia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to my faith in God. It has been the foundation of my life, guiding my decisions, shaping my character, and giving me the strength to persevere through every season.
Professionally, I have always believed in putting my head down, working hard, and never taking shortcuts. I focused on doing every job to the best of my ability, regardless of the title. Over the years, that commitment to excellence, integrity, and perseverance enabled me to grow from a typist clerk to an operations manager.
My journey has taught me that success is not achieved overnight. It is built one day, one task, and one faithful decision at a time. When you remain committed to your values, work diligently, and trust God's timing, opportunities have a way of finding you.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I can give is simple: Do your best every day, don't take shortcuts, stay focused, and work hard. Excellence and integrity may not always be recognized immediately, but they are never wasted.
There will be times when your efforts seem unnoticed or when others appear to move ahead more quickly. Don't let that discourage you. Keep learning, keep growing, and remain faithful to the work entrusted to you. Build a reputation for being dependable, honest, and someone who consistently delivers quality.
Most importantly, remember that success is not only about promotions or titles—it's about the impact you make and the character you build along the way. If you remain committed to excellence and treat people with respect, opportunities will come. Someday, someone will recognize your dedication, and when that moment arrives, you'll be ready.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never underestimate the power of exceptional customer service. No matter who you are serving or where they fall within the organizational hierarchy, treat every person with the same level of respect, professionalism, and care.
It is easy to give extra attention to those in leadership positions, but true character is revealed in how you treat those who may never be able to advance your career. Be known as someone who serves without favoritism or discrimination. Whether you are assisting an executive, a new employee, or a support staff member, give each person your very best.
People may forget what you accomplished, but they will remember how you made them feel. Build your reputation on integrity, consistency, and kindness. Those qualities will not only open doors professionally but will also leave a lasting impact on everyone you meet.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face today is balancing the many opportunities to serve. Beyond my professional responsibilities, I am actively involved in church ministries, teaching children, encouraging and supporting women who have lost their husbands, and responding to readers who reach out after reading my devotional book. My book is titled "Broken hearts held by God" and can be purchased on Amazon. Each of these is deeply meaningful, but they also require time, emotional investment, and prayer. I have learned that I cannot do everything, and that effective leadership sometimes means setting healthy boundaries and trusting God to direct my priorities. While the demands can be challenging, I see them as opportunities to make a lasting difference in people's lives. If I can offer hope, encouragement, or simply remind someone that they are not alone, then every investment of time is worthwhile.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My faith in God is the foundation of everything I do, both personally and professionally. It shapes my character, guides my decisions, and reminds me to serve others with integrity, compassion, and humility.
In my professional role, I am passionate about empowering women, encouraging them to recognize their potential and pursue excellence with confidence. I also believe that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Whether serving colleagues, clients, or the public, I strive to provide exceptional customer service with fairness, kindness, and consistency, ensuring that everyone feels valued and heard.
At the end of the day, I hope my work reflects not only professional excellence but also the love, grace, and integrity that flow from my faith.
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