Premier Ranj Pillai has made two senior leadership appointments.
Matt King has been appointed Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services. The dual Deputy Minister roles in Health and Social Services have been consolidated to enhance efficiency and optimize operations.
Damien Burns has been appointed as acting Deputy Minister of Community Services for a period of six months.
Both of these senior leadership appointments are effective September 20, 2024.
I am delighted to welcome Matt King and Damien Burns to their new roles, and I have every confidence that they will excel in leading Health and Social Services and Community Services, respectively. I thank Jennifer Gehmair for her exceptional service as acting Deputy Minister of Social Services and welcome her return to her substantive role. I also extend my sincere appreciation to Tiffany Boyd, outgoing Deputy Minister responsible for health care service delivery, for her unwavering dedication and commitment to serving Yukoners, and wish her continued success in her future pursuits.
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Deputy Ministers, including presidents of government corporations, are the most senior public servants in the Government of Yukon. They are responsible for the departments or corporations’ budget, day-to-day operations and program development.
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Deputy Ministers serve at the pleasure of the Premier.
Matt King has over 10 years of senior leadership experience in the Government of Yukon including director of communications with Community Services, director of housing operations and vice president of operations for the Yukon Housing Corporation. He has served as president of the Yukon Liquor Corporation and most recently as Deputy Minister of Community Services. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Victoria and a Master of Business Administration from Royal Roads University.
Damien Burns began his public service as a fire crewmember in Ross River and has since held various positions over the past 20 years. Since August 2022, he has served as assistant deputy minister of Community Development. He has previously held the roles of assistant deputy minister of Protective Services, director of Community Affairs and director of Wildland Fire Management. He holds degrees in Forest Resource Management and a Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development. Outside of work, Damien enjoys spending time with his wife, Betty and their three daughters.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca
Kelan Deigh
Public Service Commission
867-471-2983
kelan.deigh@yukon.ca