ROSE MARIE (ROSE) GAGE My journey is non-traditional. I have worn many hats: CEO, board member, entrepreneur, volunteer, mentor, coach, collaborator, mother, wife, daughter and friend. I have always worked hard, and needed autonomy—in career, home, thoughts and actions. As a first-born Canadian-Slovenian, my original aim was a happy marriage, children and a career leading to middle management. In primary school, they painted me in a small box—one I was determined to break! Founder and Principal of Great Governance Matters and MPOWRU, Board Member (Public, Private, N4P) Cumberland, Ontario Canada 2021 Women of Inspiration™ Integrity Award Women of Inspiration – Women Driving Change Book™ Contributor
I married and had a son. My marriage ended. I became the breadwinner. My marital breakdown and its aftermath made me realize a few things: I needed a future that was greater than imagined and I couldn’t do it alone! I worked in a male-dominated and patriarchal organization with few women in senior roles. Lateral growth only. At the time, I led Customer Service. It was a noble job—just not for me. I loved vision, strategy, innovation and outward-facing roles (and I was great at it). I felt placed in the penalty box because I thought differently. Each day I lost a little more of myself. I chose to take on an individual contributor role at GE Energy as a Commercial Six Sigma Black Belt. I didn’t have the credentials; however, I did have personality, perseverance and drive. My bosses saw that I was a good fit even without an engineering degree or the Black Belt certification. This role was AMAZING. GE was a game changer. I was trained, mentored, and had the opportunity to fix large commercial problems, train others and make meaningful change.
As Champion, I induced change across Canada and became an inaugural member of the Conference Board of Canada’s Centre of Excellence for Women’s Advancement, working with other large companies to break the glass ceiling. I established and led the GE Women’s Network-Canada. In my role, I learned, challenged, shared, grew, sometimes fell or moved sideways, and got back up again. I flourished. I worked with Canada’s largest companies communicating best practices, making deals, and sharing the benefits of GE’s practices. A lot happened between there and here and when a CEO opportunity was available at Ag Energy (AE), a Canadian agriculture-energy Coop, I went for it and I got it! In 2011, I met the love of my life. I lived in two places and did so for 5 years. I burnt out. Now I pursue my purpose and passion: Board and Advisory work. I am Board Chair, Vice-Chair or Chair: of Environmental, Social and Governance (planet, people, profits). I represent the highest level of success and am influential in strategic, environmental and social change. I mentor many. I am living my dream! I believe we all have limitless growth opportunities. How did failure shape your success? I have failed enough and learned a great deal. I have failed relationships (divorce and friendships), I have failed projects and roles. I respect failure; it is a great teacher. It illustrates weaknesses and it directs future learning. While failure is subject to interpretation, we still learn. With each failure, I refine myself and my approach— like a “continuous improvement” self-study.
GE was a true fit where my skills and strengths were rewarded. They saw me and gave me opportunities never imagined including working with GE’s largest global client (> billion dollars revenue)!
I respect
I excelled. At the one-year mark, failure; it I interviewed for the Manager of is a great Corporate Initiatives role. At the 18-month mark, upon completion of teacher. my Black Belt certification, I became the Manager of Corporate Initiatives (CI). My world changed! I now sat at the Executive Table and my office was right beside the CEO’s. As the only female on the Corporate leadership team, I also became the Champion of Gender Diversity.
advisor, mentor, board-w 37 | UWOMEN
