Provincial Government Announces New Commissioners to the Independent Appointments Commission

May 23, 2025

A resolution was passed yesterday (May 22) in the House of Assembly to appoint three new commissioners and reappoint four current commissioners to the Independent Appointments Commission.

The three new commissioners are Rex A. Goudie, Nancy Healey and Karen Skinner. These new members were appointed through a merit-based process in consultation with the Public Service Commission. They will each serve a three-year term.

Current members Karen McCarthy, William Mahoney, Brendan Mitchell, and Jamie Schwartz have been reappointed, with Ms. McCarthy reappointed as chair. These members joined the Independent Appointments Commission in May 2022, and will continue in their roles for a three-year term.

Biographies for the new appointments and those who were reappointed can be found in the backgrounder below.

The Independent Appointments Commission is an independent body established by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide merit-based recommendations to approximately 30 Tier One Entities. These agencies, boards and commissions deliver important services including health care and K-12 and post-secondary education and help manage our province’s natural resources.

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“Our government believes in the fair and merit-based process for appointing members to serve on agencies, boards and commissions. I’d like to thank the three outgoing members of the Independent Appointments Commission – Gerald Anderson, Peggy Bartlett and Cathy Duke – for their years of dedication. I also thank the reappointed members and new commissioners for their commitment to serving the Independent Appointments Commission.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier
Minister of Finance
President of Treasury Board
Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission

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Learn more
The Independent Appointments Commission

Tier One Entities

BACKGROUNDER

Biographies of New Members of the Independent Appointments Commission

Rex Goudie
Rex Goudie provides strategic direction and oversight of operations in his current role as chief executive officer of the Goose Bay Airport Corporation. His previous experience includes executive leadership roles such as manager of field operations with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and assistant deputy minister with the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs. Mr. Goudie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University. Born and raised in L’Anse-au-Clair, he has taken an active role in supporting community-based organizations in Labrador through his role as chair of the Grenfell Foundation and participation on the Labrador Winter Games’ board of directors. Mr. Goudie has more than 30 years of progressively responsible experience supporting socioeconomic opportunities for Labrador including the oversight of government policies, facilitation of integral provincial programs and services and coordinator of the Comprehensive Labrador Agreement.

Nancy Healey
Nancy Healey is an executive with 20 years of experience in leadership and advocacy. Previously, as the chief executive officer of the St. John’s Board of Trade, Ms. Healey supported the success of business through meaningful work at all levels of government. She offered similar support in her previous role as the executive director of an association devoted to enhancing and elevating the province’s hospitality and tourism industry. Ms. Healey completed the Director’s Education Program from the Rotman School of Management, obtaining the ICD.D designation. She has been recognized for her success and contributions, being named the 2018 Executive of the Year as a past president of the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada. Ms. Healey is currently serving and sharing her expertise with the St. John’s Rotary Club, the Commission for Employers (Employment Insurance Commission) and the RUAH Counselling Centre’s board of directors.

Karen Skinner
Karen Skinner is an executive leader and board director with over 32 years of relevant experience. Ms. Skinner previously held the role of vice-president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Region with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Ms. Skinner has a Master of Business Administration from Dalhousie and a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) from the Memorial University. Ms. Skinner’s senior leadership experience encompasses work related to economic development, public policy and program design and delivery. As an individual devoted to giving back to her community, she serves on several boards such as the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation and Dr. Jack Hand Legacy Foundation. With a commitment to advancing arts and culture in the province she sits on additional boards including Business and Arts NL, Bonavista Biennale, and Lady Cove Women’s Choir. Ms. Skinner is also a member of the Board of Management for the Canada Revenue Agency.

Biographies of Reappointed Members of the Independent Appointments Commission

William (Bill) Mahoney
William (Bill) Mahoney is the owner of a group of companies in Newfoundland and Labrador related to the real estate and tourism sectors. He served for 27 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, holding a number of staff and command positions, retiring in 2004. He is regional director of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, and the national vice-chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council. He is former chair of the Board of the Commissionaires Newfoundland and Labrador, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Historical Society, the St. John’s International Airport Authority, and the St. John’s Downtown Development Commission.

Karen McCarthy
Karen M. McCarthy is vice-president communications and government relations with Fortis Inc. She joined Fortis Inc. in 2016 as director, communications and corporate affairs and was appointed to her current role in 2023. She was previously president of an Atlantic Canadian public affairs consulting firm for seven years and spent 15 years in the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial public service with senior roles in communications, cabinet operations, energy, labour relations and intergovernmental affairs. She holds a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Master of Education (Leadership) from Memorial University and was awarded the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). Ms. McCarthy is past chair of the ICD Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter, is a regent and chair of the Governance Committee at Memorial University and served on the Newfoundland Power’s board of directors.

Brendan Mitchell
Brendan Mitchell held the distinction of Chief of the Qalipu First Nation for many years and is now Newfoundland and Labrador’s first regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations. He worked with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited for 27 years and has extensive work experience in the areas of project management, materials management, transportation and procurement management. His organizational involvements are many having served on boards and committees locally, provincially and nationally including chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Marine Advisory Board for five years and chair of the Corner Brook Economic Development Corporation.

Jamie Schwartz
Jamie Schwartz retired as president and chief executive officer of the Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority after serving 20 years with the organization. He is currently a member of the 2025 Canada Summer Games Host Society’s board of directors. He served as president and chair of the Atlantic Canada Airports Association from 2014 to 2016 and was a director on the Canadian Airports Council for four years. He was also chair of the Marble Mountain Development Corporation for three years.

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