My Mentorship Experience

by Marissa Lemay, 2025–2026 CYL participant

After the excitement of the selection process, the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) program moves into its most impactful phase: the 9-month tailored mentorship. This phase is unique because it is primarily self-directed, allowing each leader to steer their own professional development. The success of this portion of the program hinges on a critical component—the mentorship pairing.

My goals for the CYL year are highly technical and specific. I want to move beyond the hype of technology and evaluate the actual impact tools like remote monitoring systems, genomic testing, and virtual fencing have on producers. Furthermore, as a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT), I want to explore how technology can be integrated into herd health protocols to strengthen the resilience of an operation and support veterinary-client partnerships.

To achieve this, I needed a mentor who doesn’t just understand cattle, but who understands the nuance of integrating data into a busy production schedule. After researching experts in this niche area of the industry, and through the CYL committee’s pairing process, I was matched with Dr. Erin DeHaan and Dr. Jameson Brennan from South Dakota State University. Their expertise and forward-thinking approach to technology in the beef industry has provided the perfect sounding board for my objectives.

Left to right: mentor Dr. Erin DeHaan, CYL Marissa Lemay, mentor Dr. Jameson Brennan

The relationship with mentors like Dr. DeHaan and Dr. Jameson is less about being taught and more about collaborating. We plan to spend our time focusing on how science-backed communication can be used to bridge the gap between producers and the public, exploring different technologies, and evaluating the impact use of technology can have on the bottom line for producers.

A standout feature of the CYL program is the $3,000 travel and learning budget, provided to us through the program sponsors. This has allowed me to seek out experiences that would otherwise be out of reach. Whether it’s attending industry-leading conferences or enrolling in leadership training opportunities, this budget removes the financial barrier to high-level networking and education.

Being paired with dedicated industry experts provides a vital foundation for exploring the complexities of modern beef production. Through the guidance of my mentors and the support of the CYL network, I’m learning how to strengthen my leadership to support the future of Canadian beef, while also exploring the impact technology can have on beef producers. The mentorship pairing has turned my goals into a concrete roadmap for the year ahead, ensuring that my contribution to the beef sector is both science-based and sustainably focused.

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 over 200 CYL graduates. Program applications are open annually for ages 18-35 on our website from early January to the end of March. Learn more at www.canadiancattleyoungleaders.ca.