Tunya Smith is a transformational leader, innovator and curator of change focused on advancing civil rights, equity and inclusion, and organizational strategy. She serves as Director of the Office of Civil Rights, as member of the USDOT Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity and AASHTO Equity Task Force respectively.


As the director of the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Office of Civil Rights, Tunya Smith aims to leverage best practices and resources to promote civil rights programming, workforce development, fair and equal employment, HBCU program administration, advance transportation diversity programs, drive economic development and build a culture of equity and inclusion across the department.

Smith has extensive experience in policy and program development, advocacy and economic development through service spanning over two decades.

Joining NCDOT in May 2018, Smith has served as policy advisor for the Office of Civil Rights and program administrator for Data, Performance Metrics and Reporting for the Technical Services Division. She serves as the chair of the Secretary’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group and agency liaison for the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental and Health Equity Task Force and has chaired several in-house committees such as the Diversity Spend and Office of Civil Rights Advisory Council.

Smith holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in business administration and continues to promote and advance all matters of civil rights and equity and inclusion. She lives in Raleigh, is happily married and a proud mom of twin boys.