Elisa's meandering career in the arts began early, as a multi-instrumental musician (clarinet, guitar, keys, vocals, etc.). She performed solo, with orchestra, and in bands throughout her teens. At 14, she toured India with her missionary parents as their "opening act", and at 17 joined a contemporary Christian rock band that toured in a bus for 18 months, playing everything from concert halls and universities to churches.

Accepting the fact she wasn't destined for stardom (hey...that doesn't make her a quitter ya know...) she worked as a radio announcer and producer at CJJD in Hamilton and CJRN in Niagara Falls, and developing syndicated features and countdown programs.

While in Niagara, she was hired away from radio to work with Niagara Film Productions (it's principal, Colin Chilvers, was the Oscar-winning special effects director who made Superman fly). Elisa worked on the financing, production, crew coordination and promotion of feature films and TV specials such as "Superman II" (Warner Bros) and "Heart of Gold, the History of Canadian Rock" (Insight Productions). In the mid-80's she and a partner founded a communications company which produced videos and audio programs on topics ranging from stress management to health and business.

Film was exciting, but projects were sporadic. Since her first love was music, Elisa seized the opportunity work in an artist management and concert promotion firm. In 1988, she started AMI, and partnered up with B.C. Fiedler Management, working with artists such as Dan Hill, Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, Rita MacNeil, the Canadian Brass and Liona Boyd. In 1991 she went off on her own (as business manager for Canadian Brass and other artists), and in 1993 partnered up with Fiedler again in the record label, SGM-Sleeping Giant Music, where she helped to launch the international careers of classical-crossover artists such as Quartetto Gelato. They were also partners in "City Nights/City Kids", a small ad agency specializing in promotion of services and events for families in the Toronto area. Elisa handled everything from bookings, concert and theatre production, promotion, publicity, record production, manufacturing and distribution, personal management, publishing, advertising, legal and financial management.

Elisa first began working with Leslie Nielsen in 1995 as general manager for his play "Clarence Darrow", which was mounted in Canada in 1996, and in the U.S. in 1998. In 1999, Elisa took on the role of Producer. In 1999/2000, the play opened in Vienna, then enjoyed 57 performances in the US and an 8 week run in England. Aside from producing this play and booking Mr. Nielsen as narrator with orchestras (hey, she had to tie music into this somehow!), Elisa also represents Mr. Nielsen as his business manager, overseeing a group of companies with various projects in film, animation and other business and charitable activities.

By 1998 Elisa began her own company AMI-Amsterdam Management Inc struck and began in earnest signing artists to her roster. From 99 to 2005 she focussed on developing the career of Steve Fox, whose albums are released through AMI Music (distributed nationally in Canada through SongCorp), and also represents Nashville's Muriel Anderson (distributed in Canada and the US through Bayside). Elisa was appointed as Liona Boyd's international manager and booked tours from Russia to Hong Kong, India to Latin America.. AMI released 2 CDs for Steve Fox, his second earned him numerous industry awards and accolades as well as a JUNO nomination. AMI also helped launch the career of Tracey James, acting as manager and label for the release of "Dreaming Out Loud" CD which earned her a nomination of indie female artist at the Canadian Country Music Assoc in 2004. AMI also launched several national songwriter tours which included the talents of Lisa Brokop, Diane Chase, Jamie Warren, Steve Fox and Duane Steele, as well as the comedy tour "Songs with Punchlines" featuring the CCMA's 6 time guitar player of the year recipient Wendell Ferguson, ACTRA award winner Nancy White and multi instrumentalist Roger James.

Elisa was voted as one of the "Women to Watch" by the Women In Music Business national association. She has worked with CIRPA (Canadian Independent Record Producers Association) to organize communications forums and workshops for that association, has volunteered with Junior Achievement to help mentor young entrepreneurs, and has enjoyed serving as a juror with FACTOR over the past few years. She was also a member of the Canadian Country Music Association, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Film Music Network, L.A. Women in Music, and an L.A. Group called Nashville by the Sea.