As Chairman of Firo Communications, Elizabeth Gage dedicates her time to the promotion of entrepreneurism while developing her companies: PCM Interactive and Firo Communications. A respected pioneer in the area of multi-channel digital marketing solutions Elizabeth is passionate about IT in Marketing and in finding integrated solutions that benefit a customer. She holds an Honors Degree in English from Queen’s University and is a graduate of Business Entrepreneurship from MIT Sloan School of Management.

Elizabeth Gage is day-to-day president of PCM Interactive, a company specializing in website re-engineering and advanced performance-based search marketing for business. Prior to this in 1995 she founded Prairie Choice Marketing as a national Yellow Pages and Internet marketing firm. The company specialized in the design and placement of measurable, cost-effective directory and online advertising programs for a diverse group of national, corporate, franchise, and dealer/distributor firms operating throughout Canada and the United States. Under Elizabeth’s stewardship, the company grew and evolved, opening offices in several centres in Canada including, Vancouver and Toronto.

Elizabeth is a driven leader and entrepreneur, known for her creative and innovative strategies to increase revenues, reduce cost, decrease employee turnover and bring value to shareholders and stakeholders.

In May 2008, Elizabeth was awarded top honours with the Overall Excellence – Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award along with the Building Business Award presented by the Women Business Owners of Manitoba.

The awards were presented at the 17 annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards gala dinner, attended by more than 500 people at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Gage was one of 29 finalists from across the province nominated for the award as well as awards in eight specific achievement categories.

Elizabeth began her advertising career in 1986 and honed her marketing niche in radio as Director of Marketing with Moffat Communications. Her work generated considerable value-added for larger advertisers that resulted in maintaining annual media buys even during periods of fluctuating ratings.

In 1991, the Winnipeg Free Press recruited Elizabeth to undertake a special multi-media marketing initiative for Manitoba’s largest newspaper to increase circulation among special target groups. With that established, in 1993 she joined CUC International, a global company that was U.S.-based, specializing in innovative community fundraising products. As District Sales Manager, Elizabeth lead her office and sales team to unprecedented sales results, and was subsequently recognized with the company’s Best Seller Circle Award.

Elizabeth was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She attended Balmoral Hall School where she served as School Captain. Upon graduation, she was accepted by Queen’s University and graduated with a  Honors Degree in English in 1982. Elizabeth then went on to MIT-Sloan School of Management to study Business Entrepreneurship.

When asked what drives her Elizabeth responded:

“I am a builder and leader.What drives me is the creative process of conceptualizing and developing a profitable business model that is based on a real market need and that benefits a real customer. I am passionate about fostering entrepreneurial talent in young people”.

Elizabeth has had an unusual career to get to where she is today. In the early 1980s, she won a scholarship to John Gielgud’s Classical Theatre School in Berkeley, California. During 1984-86 she performed and toured with the Stratford Festival of Canada where she received a 1985 Dora Award for outstanding promise in Canadian Theatre. She has also been an active community volunteer with her participation including: United Way Cabinet Member, Federal Government appointment as Canada Day Chair, and member of the Board of Trustees for the Manitoba Theatre Center, Chair and Master of Ceremonies of the “Yes She Can” Awards, and Chair of the Aviation Museum Annual Fundraiser. She has been an invited guest speaker at Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) “Lessons from the Edge”, WOW Women of Winnipeg, and the WBOA Women’s Business Owners Association and has participated as a “Dragon” in Dragon’s Nest, an entrepreneurial initiative of The Learning Partnership to foster entrepreneurial thinking in high school children.

Elizabeth is a member of the the international Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), SEMPO (Search Engine Marketing Association), IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau), and the Canadian Marketing Association. She has also taught English as a second language to immigrant women.