In an era where sustainable practices, community heritage, and food security are at the forefront of global conversations, visionary leadership in agriculture and civic life has never been more critical. We are thrilled to host Cherie Copithorne-Barnes for an exclusive afternoon exploring the intersection of western legacy, environmental stewardship, and industry-shaping innovation.
As CEO of CL Ranches Ltd. and First Vice Chair of the Calgary Stampede, Cherie is a powerhouse of leadership, community impact, and advocacy. A fourth-generation rancher, she carries forward a 139-year-old family legacy in the Alberta foothills, leading a sprawling operation that includes cattle, a feedlot, and mixed grain farming. She brings unparalleled insight into what it takes to balance deep community roots with long-term economic resilience and sustainable growth.
Cherie’s influence extends far beyond her ranch and the Stampede grounds. She has been a trailblazer in shaping agricultural policy and sustainability standards on both a national and international scale. As the founding chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and a former member of the Executive Committee for the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Cherie played a pivotal role in developing global beef sustainability goals. Her unique perspective—forged by raising livestock in both Alberta and Uruguay—bridges the gap between traditional ranching heritage and the future of global food systems.
What truly sets Cherie apart is her passion for elevating the community and shifting the public narrative around agriculture. Beyond her leadership with the Calgary Stampede, she sits on the Board of Governors for Olds College of Agriculture and Technology and previously co-chaired the Government of Alberta’s Red Tape Reduction Panel for Agriculture, Food, and Bio-Industrial sectors.
In recognition of her extraordinary work advancing the agricultural industry and championing sustainable beef production, Cherie was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Calgary in 2025.
Whether you are looking to understand the future of sustainable food production, the power of community leadership, or seeking inspiration from an executive who seamlessly blends heritage with cutting-edge innovation, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
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- Date: September 16, 2026
- Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM MST
- (Guests are welcome to stay until 1:30 PM for optional networking)
- Location: Calgary Petroleum Club
- Cost: $50 + fees and GST
- Attendee limit: 14
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Cherie Copithorne-Barnes
Cherie is a 4th generation rancher and CEO of CL Ranches Ltd., a 139-year-old ranching operation consisting of cattle, a feedlot, and mixed grain farming operations. Cherie is also the First Vice Chair of the Calgary Stampede and sits on the Board of Governors for Olds College of Agriculture and Technology. Cherie has held many roles in the past such as co-chair of the Government of Alberta’s Red Tape Reduction Panel for Agriculture, Food and Bio-Industrial, founding chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef as well as a member of the Executive Committee for the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef as they developed global beef sustainability goals. She is passionate about not only telling her story about raising livestock in Alberta and Uruguay, but also about informing the public of the often-neglected, positive impact that agriculture accomplishes here in Canada. In 2025, Cherie was recognized with an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Calgary in recognition for her work in advancing agriculture.