Karen McCarthy

Ms. McCarthy has been with the Fortis group of companies for over a decade, joining Newfoundland Power in 2013 as Manager, Corporate Affairs and Communications and subsequently Director, Customer and Corporate Relations. She joined Fortis Inc. in 2016 as Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs and was appointed Vice President, Communications and Corporate Affairs in 2018 and to her current role of Vice President, Communications and Government Relations in 2023.

Ms. McCarthy was previously President of an Atlantic Canadian public affairs consulting firm for seven years. She 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 and a Master of Education (Leadership) from Memorial University. She was awarded the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) in 2017.

Ms. McCarthy is Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Independent Appointments Commission, Past Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of ICD, and past Regent and Committee Chair on Memorial University's Board of Regents. Ms. McCarthy serves on the Board of Directors of Maritime Electric, a Fortis Utility. She is active within the Canadian Electricity Association and Edison Electric Institute, is an avid arts and business volunteer, and was awarded the Confederation 75th Anniversary Medal for her contributions to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ms. McCarthy is honoured to volunteer her time as Co-Chair of the 2025 Light The Night St. John’s campaign, having seen the impact that fundraising and awareness can have for the blood cancer community.