Senior leadership changes in the Government of Yukon public service

Premier Ranj Pillai has appointed Samantha Paterson as Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Lyle Dinn as acting Public Service Commissioner.

Samantha Paterson has been with the Government of Yukon for 32 years in a variety of senior leadership positions. Samantha has served as assistant deputy minister of Corporate Services in Energy, Mines, and Resources since 2021. This appointment is effective July 16.

Lyle Dinn has been with the Government of Yukon for over 12 years in a variety of senior leadership positions. Lyle has served as assistant deputy minister of the Human Resources Service Centre in the Public Service Commission since 2021. This appointment is effective July 12.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Samantha Paterson and Lyle Dinn for assuming these critical leadership positions in the public service. Their willingness to serve and their invaluable contributions to the well-being of our territory are truly appreciated. Additionally, I would like to offer my sincere appreciation to Deborah Lemaire for temporarily filling the role of Deputy Minister of Economic Development. Special recognition is also extended to Sherri Young, whose exceptional leadership as Public Service Commissioner has been instrumental in driving positive change and improvement in our public service, as well as best wishes as she moves to a new role.

Premier Ranj Pillai

Quick facts
  • 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.  

  • Deputy Ministers serve at the pleasure of the Premier.

Backgrounder

Biographies

Samantha Paterson

Samantha has been the assistant deputy minister of Corporate Services in Energy, Mines, and Resources since 2021. Samantha’s 32-year career with the Yukon government has been marked by leadership in various senior and executive roles, with expertise in policy development, strategic planning, communications and intergovernmental relations. A born-and-raised Yukoner, Samantha holds a master’s degree in professional communication and an Executive Certificate in Intergovernmental Negotiation.

Lyle Dinn

Lyle has been the assistant deputy minister of the Human Resources Service Centre in the Public Service Commission since 2021. Prior to that, Lyle was the director of the Forest Management Branch in Energy, Mines, and Resources for 10 years. Lyle holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management/Forest Resources Management.

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]

 

Kelan Deigh
Communications, Public Service Commission
867-471-2983
[email protected]

News release #:
24-304
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