Current Members of the Executive and Board


Denis Mahoney, Chair

Denis Mahoney is a partner with McInnes Cooper in St. John’s working with the labour and employment group. He assists employers in many sectors including mining, oil and gas, construction, transportation and service sectors.

Since joining the St. John’s Board of Trade Denis has advocated for labour market growth, a sustainable economy, and public sector reform.

Denis has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada for his practice in Labour and Employment law, is noted as a leading practitioner in Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory of 2013.

Denis is also a Member of the Advisory Committee for the Centre for Law in the Contemporary Workplace at Queen’s University, an employer representative appoint to the Labour Management Arbitration Committee, sits on the Public Service Awards of Excellence Selection Committee and is Past Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers’ Council and Business Coalition.

Denis is supported by his darling bride Jacqueline and their three grown children, in addition to being a proud grandfather. He’s a Boston Bruins fan, barbeque aficionado, and enjoys his out of town time with family and friends.


Sharon Horan, Senior Vice-Chair

Sharon Horan is the President and Founder of a number of small business enterprises. FIT For Work is a multidisciplinary health center operating from four locations in the province offering injury prevention and injury management services. Atlantic Orthotics Ltd is a full service Pedorthic center focusing on sports injuries and biomechanics of the foot and ankle. Schooner Holdings is a real estate holding company with property ownership in St. John’s and the Humber Valley. Dory Holdings is an Investment Company participating in venture capital initiatives.

Sharon has an Occupational Therapy Degree from Dalhousie University and a Post Graduate Certification as a Pedorthist from the College of Pedorthics of Canada. She also has a number of post graduate certificates related to injury prevention and injury management interventions.

Sharon is also a committed volunteer, participating in several local and national professional organizations. She is currently Chair of the Capital Campaign to build the new YMCA in St. Johns and has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow for her work with Rotary in St. John’s East.


Kim Keating, 1st Vice-Chair

Kim Keating is the Director of Projects with GJ Cahill & Co. Ltd. Kim has over 16 years experience in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil and gas industry. She started work on the Hibernia project and, in 1997, joined the Terra Nova project design team, located in the United Kingdom, with Petro-Canada (now Suncor Energy Inc.). Kim has held a variety of positions throughout the Terra Nova Development from engineering design through to construction, commissioning and finally production operations. Kim has also supported field development activities for other East Coast developments including White Rose, Hibernia and Hebron as well as Beta Brent in Norway, and Buzzard and Golden Eagle Area Development in the UK.

Kim holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Memorial University and is a registered member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL). She also holds her Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation and has completed her Masters in Business Administration.

Kim is on the MUN Board of Regents, a member of the Rhodes Scholarship in Canada regional selection committee and a past president of WISE NL (Women in Science & Engineering). Kim also participates on several advisory committees to both PEGNL and Memorial University.

Kim is married to Jim Keating and has three daughters Karoline, Ava and Madeline.


Des Whelan, 2nd Vice Chair

Des Whelan is the President of Keyin College. He has over 20 years of experience in business with a strong background in sales of technology, management and human resources. Des has brought a strong business planning focus to the College and is part of a team driving the College's development in Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.

Des is a Graduate of Memorial University, with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Economics and is a holder of the Professional Manager designation from the Canadian Institute of Management.

In addition to the Board of Trade, Des is currently serving as the President of the Newfoundland Labrador Association of Career Colleges, is a member of the Provincial Council of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a founding Board Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Hall of Fame, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Career Practitioners.


Paul Janes, Secretary/Treasurer

Paul Janes is an Associate Partner with Deloitte. He has over 13 years of public accounting experience which includes providing internal audits, internal control, due diligence and financial statement audit to clients in various sectors including public sector, insurance, technology, and manufacturing and processing.

Paul is very involved in the community including leading some of Deloitte’s community activities such as United Way Giving Campaign and Deloitte’s Impact Day. Paul has volunteered with not-for-profit groups in the past and is currently Chair of Community Youth Network in St. John’s. Paul volunteers with various other charitable organizations and business based groups throughout the City. 


Steve Power, Immediate Past Chair

Steve Power is a Managing Partner with Grant Thornton LLP NL Business Unit in St. John’s. Steve is in the firm’s assurance and business advisory practice where he leads assurance engagements and other consulting assignments such as due diligence on business acquisitions and complex accounting and finance matters.

Steve graduated from Memorial University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and obtained his Chartered Account (CA) designation in 1999.

In addition to his role with the Board of Trade, Steve is very active in other community based activities. Steve is the treasurer of the Kids Eat Smart Foundation and is a coach for minor soccer. Steve is married to Sue Power and they have two children.
 


Andrea Brocklehurst, Director

Andrea Brocklehurst is Manager, Business Development with Plato Consulting Inc. With over ten years experience in technology and telecommunications industries, Andrea spent seven years as Account Manager at Rogers Communications until joining Plato Consulting in 2009 as a Business Analyst. In 2011, Andrea was promoted to Manager, Business Development, merging her background in both IT and sales to broaden her management skills and utilize her innate ability to network and maintain client relationships.

Andrea is an active volunteer in her community including two years on the CIPS Women in IT Organizing Committee and the St. John’s Board of Trade, where she has been an Ambassador for two terms, and is currently serving as Events Chair. A proactive and enthusiastic team member and leader, Andrea offers macro vision and genuine commitment to the goals of the organizations she represents. Andrea is a graduate of Memorial University and resides in St. John’s.


Heather Bruce-Veitch, Director

Currently in her 25th year with the Iron Ore Company, Heather Bruce-Veitch is the Director External Relations based in St. John’s, NL, having recently returned from over twenty years in Labrador West. Heather has primary responsibility for engaging and building relationships with external stakeholders who include communities, government, business partners and media. Prior to her recent appointment Heather was the Manager Human Resources with responsibility for the two operating sites -Labrador City, and Sept. Iles with a workforce of approximately 2000 employees. In this role, she led a team of 35 HR practitioners in the areas of employee recruitment and retention, industrial relations as well as employee development. Heather has progressed through a series of leadership roles within IOC and has a wide variety of experience in both industry and federal government and is bilingual.
Heather graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in French and is currently a Director of Mining NL, Director of the NL Employers Council and Vice–President Canadian Institute of Mining NL Branch.


Wayne Bruce, Director

Wayne Bruce is a Partner with Stewart McKelvey. Having appeared before all levels of court in Canada, including two appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada, Wayne helps clients in areas such as family counsel, business or marital separations, ownership disputes and personal injury, among others. Having received his education from Dalhousie University in Halifax Nova Scotia, he was admitted to the bar in 1988. Since then Wayne’s contributions to the community include:
• Member, Canadian Bar Association
• Past chair, Family Law Subsection, Canadian Bar Association, Newfoundland, 1994-1996
• Director, Newfoundland & Labrador Occupational Therapists Board, 1987-1994
• Instructor, Newfoundland and Labrador Bar Admission Courses (Civil Litigation)
• Presenter, various Stewart McKelvey Insurance Day seminars
“When I’m not working, I particularly enjoy travelling internationally off the beaten path.”


Karen M. McCarthy Director

Karen is President of Cape Consulting Group. She is a Director on the Board of Trade and brings the wisdom of over 20 years in the consulting sector and the Newfoundland and Labrador public service to Cape Consulting Group's clients in the oil and gas, health, transportation, retail, and labour industries. As President of Cape Consulting Group, she provides strategic oversight on all PR matters and guidance on government relations, crisis communications and stakeholder relations. Karen is one of the most respected and sought-after communicators in Eastern Canada and has won awards from various associations, including IABC and CPRS. She has a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Master's degree in Education from Memorial University and is currently completing a Postgraduate Laws programme at the University of London. Karen is also a Corporate Director with NL Power, among other professional and volunteer efforts.


Lynn Sullivan, Director

Lynn Sullivan is Chief Operating Officer for the St. John’s office of Cox & Palmer. She is responsible for overall business operations of the firm including strategic planning, human resources, finance, marketing, and information technology. Lynn currently serves as Chair of Cox & Palmer’s Regional Operations Committee, as Treasurer of a local not-for-profit, and was an Ambassador with the Board of Trade in 2009.

Prior to joining Cox & Palmer, Lynn obtained her Chartered Accountant designation with Pricewaterhouse Coopers and worked in oil and gas with Maersk Contractors in a contract and cost management role.
As a Director with the St. John’s Board of Trade, Lynn looks forward to bringing her ideas and enthusiasm to deliver value to members as they attempt to take advantage of opportunities in our growing economy.
Lynn lives in St. John’s with her husband Glenn Sullivan, CA. Together they have four children, ranging in ages from 2 to 14.

Andrea Stack, Director

Andrea Stack is the lead Investment Advisor with The Stack Team at CIBC Wood Gundy. She helps her clients navigate the complexities of managing wealth and works with them to provide financial, investment and estate plans tailored to their individual needs. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce degree Andrea worked in Toronto for a few years in the investment industry before deciding to return home to Newfoundland. She completed her MBA at Memorial University and started work as an Investment Advisor in 2000. She is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute having completed her Canadian Investment Manager and Chartered Professional Strategic Wealth designations.

Andrea is an active member of the Rotary Club of St. John’s Northwest, having served as Club President in the 2010-2011 Rotary year. She is a recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow, given by Rotary in recognition for her service. Andrea is also a board member for the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation and a member of the Planned Giving committee for St. Patrick’s Mercy Home Foundation. 


William C. Griffin, Director

William holds a Master of Business Administration Degree, a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and is a member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL). As the Director of Engineering and Operations with Pan Maritime Energy, William leads their North American offshore oil and gas and renewable energy strategies. Pan Maritime Energy is a local Engineering and Project Management company with offices in St. John’s and the Middle East.

Will’s professional background spans 16 years and covers positions in a wide variety of industry sectors including Manufacturing (Cooper Standard), Mining (Iron Ore Company of Canada), Beverage (Molson Coors Brewing Co.), Offshore Oil and Gas (Pan Maritime Energy) and the NL Provincial Government. Coupled with these experiences, he has owned and operated several small businesses.


Paddy Phillips, Director

Paddy Phillips is a Consultant, with RBC Group Solutions. In 2007 Paddy joined RBC in a business banking capacity. During the past five years with RBC he has worked with small-to-medium sized businesses to assist with their business financial needs. Those needs ranged from day-to-day operating needs to long term project financing. Most recently Paddy joined the RBC Group Solutions team to support businesses in the province with the retention and attraction of employees.

Paddy has completed his Master of Business Administration at Memorial University and was recognized as a Dean’s List recipient. Upon completion of his commerce degree in 2003, Paddy has been employed in several positions focusing on the growth of business in the province. As a staff member for three years with the St. John’s Board of Trade, Paddy was tasked with growing the membership base while also helping to enhance the value of member benefits. This experience allowed Paddy to gain a better understanding of local business needs which would prove to be invaluable in his most recent roles with RBC.

Over the past 10 years Paddy has been very active in the community working with organizations such as Ducks Unlimited Canada and Junior Achievement. At the present time he is volunteering with the St. John’s Board of Trade’s Member Value Team.

Paddy is married to Margot Hiltz and they have one daughter Nora.