The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador today announced two senior executive appointments with the Provincial Government.
Denis Mahoney is appointed as Deputy Minister of the Department of Justice and Public Safety and Deputy Attorney General. Mr. Mahoney has considerable experience in both the private and public sectors and has been a practicing attorney for 27 years. This appointment is effective January 1, 2022.
Valerie Snow is appointed as Deputy Minister of the Department of Environment and Climate Change. Ms. Snow has worked nationally and internationally in environmental management and sustainable development. This appointment is effective January 10, 2022.
Biographies for Mr. Mahoney and Ms. Snow can be found in the backgrounder below.
Quote
“I welcome Mr. Mahoney and Ms. Snow to these executive positions. They will bring fresh perspectives to the Departments of Justice and Public Safety and Environment and Climate Change and their considerable private and public sector experiences will serve them well. I look forward to working closely with them both.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
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Media contact
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information
Denis Mahoney
Mr. Mahoney began his career working in the public service as a Labour Relations Advisor in 1987 with the Newfoundland and Labrador Hospital and Nursing Home Association. He completed his articles of law and was admitted to the Bar in 1994. While he is currently a senior labour and employment partner in the St. John’s office of McInnes Cooper and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors, Mr. Mahoney is retiring from private practice on December 31, 2021.
During his lengthy tenure with the firm, Mr. Mahoney served in a variety of leadership roles including inaugural board director, member of the firm wide management team and Regional Lead Partner of the St. John’s office.
Mr. Mahoney has served on a number of committees and boards and has volunteered with several organizations including Memorial University’s Board of Regents, the province’s Labour Management Arbitration Committee, St. John’s Board of Trade, the Strategic Partnership Coalition, the 2025 Canada Games Host Society Inc., Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association, TaskforceNL Inc., and the Boys and Girls Club in St. John’s. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee for the Centre for Law in the Contemporary Workplace at Queen’s University.
Mr. Mahoney holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Queen’s University (1993) as well as a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) Co-operative Degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland (1987). In 2020, he received the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Valerie Snow
Ms. Snow joins the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador with 25 years of experience in the public and private sectors, with a focus on environment, sustainable development, and peace and security. Ms Snow began her career in management consulting where she developed environmental management strategies for the Federal Government. She then joined the Canadian Electricity Association as Program Manager of the national Sustainable Electricity programme and Senior Advisor on Environmental Assessment and Aboriginal Affairs.
In 2010, Ms. Snow joined the United Nations system in the Deputy-Director General’s Office at the International Atomic Energy Agency, where she worked on expanding the use of nuclear science and technologies to address the UN Sustainable Development goals. Most recently, she worked for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which focuses on global disarmament and non-proliferation, where she served as Senior Political Affairs Officer and Head of Political Affairs and Protocol.
Ms. Snow holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree from Memorial University and a Masters of Business Administration from McGill University.