Our Team
Denise Hanrahan, CPA, MBA, ICD.D
Auditor General
Denise Hanrahan was appointed through a resolution of the House of Assembly for a 10 year term as Auditor General effective April 22, 2021. Prior to her appointment as Auditor General, Ms. Hanrahan served as the Secretary to the Treasury Board, a position she has held since 2017. Ms. Hanrahan has previously held executive positions with the public service, including Deputy Minister of Finance, Assistant Deputy Minister, Financial Planning and Benefits Administration with the Department of Finance and Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Corporate Services with the former Department of Transportation and Works. She has also held several director level positions within the public service, and in 2006 was awarded a Public Service Award of Excellence.
Before joining the public service in 2002, Ms. Hanrahan held numerous leadership positions within the retail, wholesale, and not-for-profit sectors. Ms. Hanrahan holds Bachelor of Commerce (co-op) and Masters of Business Administration degrees from Memorial University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. She has completed a Masters Certificate in Project Management through York University’s School of Business, the Directors Education Program through the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and has obtained her director designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Email: oagmail@oag.nl.ca
Phone: 709-729-2700
Sandra Russell, CPA
Deputy Auditor General
Sandra brings an incalculable amount of knowledge and auditing experience to the office. Having spent more than 35 years with the Office of the Auditor General, the last eleven of which as the Deputy Auditor General, Sandra’s depth of knowledge and organizational history are unparalleled. During Sandra’s time with the Office, she has led numerous financial and performance audits, as well as leading the Office’s Quality Management System and there really aren’t many areas she’s not versed in.
Sandra is a member of the Canadian Council of Legislative Auditors’ (CCOLA) Practice Excellence Committee, as well as the Peer Review Committee and the Human Resources Committee. She has previously chaired both the Practice Excellence Committee and the Peer Review Committee.
Sandra graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Co-operative (Honours) from Memorial University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant and Licensed Public Accountant.
Email: srussell@oag.nl.ca
Phone: 709-729-2700
Erica Peddle, CPA
Assistant Auditor General – Financial Audit
Erica joined the Office of the Auditor General in 2022, following 10 years of working in professional accounting firms. The majority of her time with the firms was focused in audit, specifically working with not-for-profits, and entities following public sector accounting standards, however she had experience working with small business and tax clients as well. In addition, she mentored many students and junior staff during this time.
As an Assistant Auditor General Erica enjoys working collaboratively with the team to produce quality work.
Erica holds a Bachelor of Commerce Co-operative (Honours) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
Email: ericapeddle@oag.nl.ca
Phone: 709-689-7180
Marc Blake, CPA
Assistant Auditor General – Financial Audit
Marc began his career with the Office of the Auditor General in 2010 after completing several work terms with the Office; and over the past decade and a half with the Office has developed expertise in both financial and performance audit.
During Marc’s time auditing government departments and Crown entities, he has supported improvements in governance and the effective use of public resources. His work is driven by a commitment to integrity and delivering meaningful insights that support better governance in Newfoundland and Labrador. As Assistant Auditor General, Marc enjoys working with his teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, teamwork, innovation and continuous improvement.
Marc holds a Bachelor of Commerce (co-op) degree from Memorial University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
Email: marcblake@oag.nl.ca
Phone: 709-689-2825
Lindy Stanley, CPA
Special Advisor to the Auditor General
Lindy joined the Office of the Auditor General in 2006, and over that time has used her expertise and strategic skills to lead numerous financial and performance audits. Having spent nearly 17 years with the Office Lindy brings extensive experience and knowledge to her current role as Special Advisor to the Auditor General.
Lindy is passionate about promoting positive change and accountability in the public sector and is excited to lead a team of talented professionals in producing impactful audit reports.
Lindy holds a Bachelor of Commerce Co-operative (Honors) and is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Accountant.
Email: lindystanley@oag.nl.ca
Phone: 709-728-6312
Brad Brown, CPA
Assistant Auditor General – Performance Audit
Brad joined the Office of the Auditor General in 2023, following more than 20 years in the private sector. With expertise in both accounting and information technology, he served in a variety of management roles across organizations before joining the office, most recently as Head of Product and Chief Information Security Officer with a local technology company.
As Assistant Auditor General, Brad is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, by promoting efficient, effective, and accountable public services.
Brad holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Memorial University of Newfoundland as well as a Master of Applied Science in Management Sciences from the University of Waterloo. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
Email: bradbrown@oag.nl.ca
Phone: 709-725-4391
Chrysta Collins, B.A., B.A., MPR.
Communications Manager
Chrysta has been working in various areas of the communication field for nearly twenty years; the majority of this time spent in various roles with the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, where she gained experience in departments such as Finance, Natural Resources, Human Resources, as well as Business and Tourism.
Chrysta holds a Master’s Degree in Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, as well as Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Cape Breton University, and Political Science from Memorial University. Chrysta’s focus during her graduate studies included a concentration on leadership theories, and specifically transformational leadership and mentoring practice. Chrysta is passionate about productive communication and where it fits into individual and organizational success and is excited for the dynamic future of the Office of the Auditor General.
Email: chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca
Phone: 709-730-1568
Jodi Penney
Manager of Operations
Prior to bringing her extensive knowledge of government practice and policy to the OAG team in 2021, Jodi Penney had worked in a variety of crucial roles with the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for over twenty years. During this time Jodi held key administrative roles with the Department of Finance and the Treasury Board Secretariat.
Jodi graduated from the Office Administration program in 1995 and went on to expand her extensive skill set at Memorial University where she graduated from the Administrative Professional Program in 2008. It was during this time that Jodi refined her exceptional organizational management abilities and professional administration capacities.
In 2011 Jodi was awarded the Public Service Award of Excellence. This award recognizes individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions to the public service. It is the highest honour an employee can receive from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and there could be no one more deserving than Jodi of this honour and recognition.
Email: jodipenney@oag.nl.ca
Phone: 709-327-8921
Jay McGrath, B.A., B.B.A., MA.
Chief Administrative Officer
Jay has worked with the provincial public service since 2009. The majority of this time has been in the area of staffing and recruitment with the Public Service Commission where he gained experience recruiting with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the Independent Appointments Commission and across core government departments. Jay is also a trained harassment investigator.
Lifelong learning is something Jay believes in and is passionate about. He holds a Master of Arts with a focus in NL History along with a double undergrad in Business Administration and Arts (Double Major in English and History) from Memorial University. He has completed the Public Sector Leadership and Management Development Program from the Gardiner Center and is always on the lookout for his next enrolment in a creative writing course.
Email: jayjmcgrath@oag.nl.ca
Phone: 709-730-8752
Andrea Milley
Manager of People and Culture
Bringing over a decade of experience in human resources, training, and organizational development, Andrea joined the office in 2024 as a Training and Professional Development Consultant. In her current role of Manager of People and Culture, she leads initiatives that promote employee engagement, learning, and workplace well-being.
Prior to joining the Office, she served as a Staffing Specialist with the Public Service Commission, supporting recruitment and strategic HR planning across the provincial public service. Her earlier career includes leadership roles with the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work and the NL Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre, where she specialized in program and front-line service delivery, education, and stakeholder engagement. Andrea holds a Community Studies Diploma with honours from the College of the North Atlantic and has completed a wide range of professional development in the areas such as diversity and inclusion, accessibility, career development, and metal health.
Andrea is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace culture that supports employee engagement, well-being, and professional growth. Her work is informed by a strong foundation in collaborative leadership, equity focused practices, and a dedication to public service excellence.
Email: andreamilley@oag.nl.ca
Phone: 709-725-3351