Katy Duhigg was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon in 2002 and a graduate degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2008. Duhigg's career experience includes owning a business and working as a managing partner with the Duhigg Law Firm. Duhigg has served as vice president of Common Cause New Mexico, as a member of the Bernalillo County Code of Conduct Review Board and the Bernalillo County Valuation Protest Board, and as a governance council member and executive board secretary with the Robert F. Kennedy Charter School.