Canadian Cattle Young Leaders announce 2025 Finalists

September 18, 2025

Calgary, AB — The Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) Program, a national youth initiative of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), is pleased to announce its 16 finalists for the 2025–2026 program year.

The annual CYL Selections Competition took place on September 9, 2025, at the Canadian Cattle Association’s (CCA) Semi-Annual Meeting in Levis, Quebec.

During the competition, impressive semi-finalists from across Canada, involved in various roles within the beef supply chain, competed for a spot in the 2025 mentorship program year.

Through the Selections Competition, semi-finalists rotated through discussions with their peers at six roundtables, each facilitated and judged by representatives from the program’s sponsors and industry. Semi-finalists put their skills to the test during thought provoking discussions about timely beef industry topics such as education, succession planning, leadership, public trust, innovative technology and international trade.

Each finalist will be awarded a $3,000 budget for beef industry travel and learning opportunities and will be paired with a hand-picked industry leader for a nine-month mentorship in their specific area of interest.

“Congratulations to the CYL finalists. The dedication and passion they demonstrated for the Canadian beef industry throughout the roundtable discussions is inspiring,” said Tyler Fulton, President of the Canadian Cattle Association. “This year’s impressive group of semi-finalists is a strong indicator of the talent and leadership shaping the future of our industry.”

The 2025 finalists, from west to east, are:

  • Alberta: Arturo Macias Franco (Edmonton); Cache Schiller (Flatbush); Charlotte Wasylik (Derwent); Denay Bjornson (Wanham); Ellie Stauffer (Pincher Creek); Gautier Henaff (Turin); Justin Rosadiuk (Evansburg); Jarret Nelson (Hemaruka); Marissa Lemay (High River); Ryan Slingerland (Lethbridge); Tyler Bentley (Erskine)

  • Saskatchewan: Cyle Stewart (Morse)

  • Ontario: Abbey Taylor (Belmont)
  • Quebec: Ellen Rice-Hogan (Venosta)
  • Nova Scotia: Caylene Manning (Falmouth)
  • Prince Edward Island: Jillian Ferguson (Spring Valley)

The graduation also saw the presentation of the Reg Schellenberg Next Generation Legacy Award in partnership with the Canadian CYL Program, Canadian Cattle Foundation, and the Schellenberg family. Click here to read more.

The opportunities offered to the next generation through the Canadian CYL Program would not be possible without the generous support of its Platinum Partners, McDonald’s Canada and Cargill, Foundation Partners MNP, New Holland, and Elanco, and Gold Partners Farm Credit Canada, Alltech, and RBC Future Launch.

About the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Program
Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) welcomes young people ages 18–35 across Canada, involved in various aspects of the beef supply chain, to be paired with an industry leader in their specific area of interest for a nine-month mentorship. Through mentorship, networking, and travel, the Canadian CYL Program acts as an industry succession planning tool to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills and tools they need to continue to drive the growth and profitability of the Canadian beef industry. Since established by the Canadian Cattle Association in 2010, the program has seen more than 200 CYL graduates. Program applications are open annually for ages 18–35 on our website from early January through the end of March. Learn more at www.canadiancattleyoungleaders.ca.

Read more: Canadian Cattle Young Leaders names its 2025 Program semi-finalists

For further information, contact:


Tina Zakowsky
Communications Manager
Canadian Cattle Association
403-451-0931 | zakowskyt@cattle.ca

For a PDF of the release, click here