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The Independent Appointments Commission is a legislated independent non-partisan commission comprising of seven volunteers appointed by resolution of the House of Assembly.

The Independent Appointments Commission is responsible for providing merit-based recommendations of qualified individuals for appointment to approximately 30 Agencies, Boards and Commissions.

These Agencies, Boards and Commissions deliver important services including health care, k-12 and post-secondary education, and help manage our natural resources. The Independent Appointments Commission believes the merit based process it will use to recommend individuals for the most important governance and executive roles in the province’s Agencies, Boards and Commissions will ultimately improve services to residents.

To view the IAC’s Rules of Procedure, please click here.

Members of the Independent Appointments Commission

Karen McCarthy

Karen M. McCarthy is Vice President, Communications and Corporate Affairs with Fortis Inc. She joined Fortis Inc. in 2016 as Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs and was appointed to her current role in 2018. 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). She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration program at Athabasca University with a research focus on corporate governance and social responsibility. 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 Board of Directors.

Ms. McCarthy will serve as Chair of the Independent Appointments Commission.

Gerald Anderson

Gerald Anderson has over 30 years of experience working with Marine Institute, most recently as Director of Development and Engagement. Mr. Anderson was the designated lead for all work with Indigenous stakeholders in regions across Canada throughout his career with the Marine Institute, and from 2016 to 2018 was appointed as Vice-President (Indigenous) with University of the Arctic (UArctic), a network university with 180 members worldwide including Memorial University. In this position Mr. Anderson was responsible for ensuring Indigenous inclusion in all activities undertaken by UArctic. Mr. Anderson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Memorial University in 1980.

Peggy Bartlett

Peggy Bartlett has over 22 years of experience as a successful owner-operator of five McDonald’s Restaurants in central Newfoundland, with stores in Grand Falls-Windsor, Lewisporte and Gander. Prior to this, she spent 15 years as a community health nurse with the Janeway Child Health Centre. In recent years Ms. Bartlett has served as a town councillor with the Town of Grand Falls Windsor, where she currently resides. She has significant volunteer and board experience, including current membership on the Board of the Gander International Airport Authority, the Grand Falls House Foundation and she serves as Central Director on the Board of the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs. Ms. Bartlett is a graduate of the General Hospital School of Nursing Registered Nurse program, the Memorial University Community Health Nursing program and the Small Business Management program with the College of Trades and Technology.

Cathy Duke

Cathy Duke has been the Chief Executive Officer of Destination St. John’s for the last eight years, where she directs sales and marketing efforts in attracting meetings and conventions, leisure travel and sport tourism.  She was formerly Deputy Minister with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.   Ms. Duke is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, St. John’s Sports and Entertainment and Memorial University Board of Regents.  She also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Stella Burry Foundation. Ms. Duke earned a Bachelor of Social Work in 1979 and a Masters of Business Administration in 1982.  Ms. Duke acquired her Director designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors in 2017.

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 national Chair 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. Mr. Mahoney currently serves as a Director with a number of charitable organizations, including the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. He has completed the Director’s Education Program in 2020 and earned a designation with the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Brendan Mitchell

Brendan Mitchell has held the distinction of Chief of the Qalipu First Nation for seven years, serving his third consecutive three-year term on its Council. 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. Mr. Mitchell holds Bachelor of Science (Biology) and Master of Business Administration degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Jamie Schwartz

Jamie Schwartz retired as President and CEO 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 Board of Directors. He served as President and Chair of the Atlantic Canada Airports Association from 2014-2016 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. Mr. Schwartz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education and Recreation Management from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.