REVISED / Premier announces senior leadership changes and retirements

Press Release

Mar 31, 2025

FREDERICTON – Premier Susan Holt has announced changes to the senior ranks of the government.

“These changes to senior leadership will drive the transformational change that our government needs in order to deliver on the commitments that we made to the people of New Brunswick,” said Holt. “Their combined experience and wisdom make them the right team for the work ahead.”

Holt announced the following changes:

Renée Laforest becomes CEO of Service New Brunswick
Amy Beswarick becomes deputy minister of Human Resources
Hélène Bouchard becomes deputy minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture and deputy minister responsible for Official Languages
Kathy Brewer-Dalton becomes deputy minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Kelly Cain becomes deputy minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
Jeff Hoyt becomes deputy minister of Energy
Katie Davey becomes chief of staff for the Office of the Premier

Holt also thanked Alan Roy, who had been CEO of Service New Brunswick, and Shannon Wilson, who had been acting as deputy minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, for their years of service with the government.

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our retiring deputies – Alan and Shannon – for their years of dedicated public service and leadership,” said Holt. “Their contributions have made a lasting impact on New Brunswickers, and we wish them all the best.”

All changes are effective today.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a complete list of deputy ministers, deputy heads and presidents of Part I Crown corporations (* denotes a change or addition):

Judy Wagner*, clerk of the Executive Council, head of the public service, secretary to cabinet and deputy minister responsible for Women’s Equality
Katie Davey*, chief of staff and principal secretary, Office of the Premier
Charles Ayles, deputy minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (acting)
Cade Libby, deputy minister of Natural Resources
Jeff Hoyt*, deputy minister of Energy
Martha O’Sullivan*, deputy minister of Indigenous Affairs
Charbel Awad, deputy minister of Environment and Climate Change and deputy minister of Local Government
Travis Bergin*, deputy minister of Finance and Treasury Board
Amy Beswarick*, deputy minister of Human Resources
Kathy Brewer-Dalton*, deputy minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Ryan Donaghy, deputy minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (anglophone sector)
Julie Mason, deputy minister of Education and Early Childhood Development (francophone sector)
Eric Beaulieu, deputy minister of Health
Traci Simmons, deputy minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business and CEO of Opportunities NB
Daniel Mills, deputy minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
Michael Comeau, deputy minister of Justice and Public Safety and deputy attorney general
Jim Mehan, deputy minister of Social Development
François Boutot, CEO of the New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Hélène Bouchard*, deputy minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture and deputy minister responsible for Official Languages
Kelly Cain*, deputy minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
Joel Dickinson, president of the Regional Development Corporation and deputy clerk
Renée Laforest*, CEO of Service New Brunswick
Paul Greene, deputy minister of Communications and Marketing