Abby Duggal is an experienced Training and Development professional originally from New York. She lives in London, Ontario, with her daughter, on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak (Lenape), and Attawandaron peoples. While she is American, she maintains strong ties to her community in London.

Abby’s cultural heritage is rooted in Nepal. Through her parents, grandparents, and extended family, she developed a deep appreciation for spirituality, a strong connection to the land, and the importance of cultural traditions. These values continue to shape both her personal life and professional work.

Outside of work, Abby enjoys hiking, watching sunrises, spending time in nature, baking, and birdwatching.

Throughout her career, Abby has been committed to advancing health equity and supporting communities. Her long-standing interest in mental health and wellness led her to pursue a double major in Psychology and Sociology at the University at Stony Brook. She later earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration, further strengthening her commitment to creating meaningful, community-centered change.

After graduation, Abby began her career with the New York City Board of Education as a Teaching Fellow, working in high-need, high-poverty schools in Brooklyn and supporting diverse, historically marginalized student populations. After relocating to Canada, she pursued graduate studies at the Faculty of Education at Western University, where she earned a Master of Education degree.

Abby has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in the field of Educational Leadership in Indigenous Education. She has also worked as a Research Associate and has teaching experience at Fanshawe College in the School of Language and Liberal Arts.

Throughout her career, Abby has worked across the public and private sectors, as well as within nonprofit organizations, and has remained actively engaged in volunteer work and community initiatives. Most recently, she supported senior leadership as a Cultural Safety Project Researcher, where she provided strategic recommendations, designed curriculum, facilitated knowledge mobilization, contributed to advisory committees, and collaborated with national organizations and agencies. This role was especially meaningful, as it deepened her understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems, cultural safety, and spiritual traditions while reinforcing her commitment to respectful collaboration and community-centered learning.

Abby brings a diverse professional background spanning the last two decades in human resources, recruitment, policy, program development, health, research, and education across a variety of sectors and settings. She finds the greatest fulfillment in working collaboratively with communities, service providers, families, Elders, and traditional healers. Her growing commitment to health and wellness has become a central focus of her career and continues to shape her professional interests, passions, and future aspirations.

Abby is excited, humbled, and deeply honoured to join FPWC and contribute to the organization’s national efforts to advance Indigenous health and holistic wellness. She is committed to supporting Indigenous-led health initiatives, promoting education and knowledge sharing, and contributing to meaningful, sustainable change. Through collaboration and a strengths-based approach, Abby is dedicated to helping address systemic barriers and improve health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples across Canada.