Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, First Vice-Chair of the Board at the Calgary Stampede, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (Hon. LLD) Degree by the University of Calgary in November 2025. A fourth-generation rancher and CEO of CL Ranches Ltd., Cherie has carried forward a 138-year family legacy, advancing sustainable beef production, strengthening the connection between agriculture and business, and helping shape national standards through her founding leadership with the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.
 
We visited Cherie at CL Ranch to learn more about her life, her career in ranching, and the values that have guided her journey as an industry leader and First Vice-Chair of the Calgary Stampede.
 
Watch the full video to learn more about Cherie’s story.

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