ABIGAIL DOA-NEIL|CHAMPIONING MENTORSHIP & SUPPORT

“Own your life, you are the one in the driver’s seat. Don’t be a passenger in your own car”

Born and raised in Port Moresby, Abigail’s roots are deeply embedded in the rich cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea. Her father hails from Wallis Island in East Sepik Province, and her mother from Busamang in Morobe Province. Both parents were career public servants who are now enjoying their retirement.

As the oldest of four siblings and the only girl, Abigail has always been a trailblazer. Married with two young boys, Leo (five) and Xavier (one), Abigail balances her professional responsibilities with her role as a mother.

Her parents and husband have been her biggest allies and cheerleaders, always encouraging her to back herself, believe in the power of education, use her power for good, and speak up no matter how shaky her voice.

“A piece of advice I carry in my heart always was from one of my teachers in high school, the late Mr. Jack Hansen: ‘You have a duty to live.’ Within that duty to live, please get involved, ask the questions you need to ask, say the things that need to be said even if your voice shakes. And most of all – own your life, you are the one in the driver’s seat. Don’t be a passenger in your own car,” she says with a smile.

The power of representation has also played a significant role in her journey. Five years ago, Dr. Fiona Hukula was a keynote speaker at a Business & Professional Women’s Breakfast.

“In her address, she paraphrased a well-known saying about the power of representation that has stuck with me since; ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’” says Abigail.

Awarded the same AusAwards scholarship as her mother, in the early 1990s to pursue her master’s degree at Flinders University in Adelaide. This achievement reinforced the belief that if her mother could do it, so could she.

“My mother normalized that for me. I am grateful that this is the standard I leave for my sons and younger females in my family,” Abigail reflects.

Attributing the most rewarding part of working with TotalEnergies to the people, Abigail believes that it is a blessing to be able to not only work with but learn from Papua New Guinean icons within the industry such as Mr. Richard Kassman, Mr. Ian Marru, and Dr. Jane Mogina, to name a few.

“Fun fact about our team: we are all female, female-led, all national and we are all either the eldest or eldest daughter. Sometimes it gets lonely being the eldest, being the first. It’s a nice reprieve to know that at work, for our small team, we are the big sister each of us needs. Buffering, interceding, supporting, encouraging, and the occasional ‘pull your head out’ conversation,” says Abigail.

“Abigail personifies the next generation of competent, articulate, and professional Papua New Guineans, whom I firmly believe are capable of taking the country forward. She has a good set of principles, untainted by corruption,” says Mr. Kassman.

He further adds that as the child of Papua New Guineans who have dedicated their lives to public service post-independence, her ability to shine in her own light is an admirable quality.