Gina Chan, CFO of GHSP
GHSP operates in the competitive automotive supplier space. What strategies do you employ to motivate and inspire your team to achieve their best performance?
In a fast-moving industry like ours, the single biggest motivator is clarity. My approach is built on transparency and ensuring our teams always see the “big picture.” Townhall communications, team discussions and informal conversations emphasize and ensure every team member understands our strategic goals and, most importantly, how their individual work adds value to these goals. It’s not just about hitting numbers; it’s about understanding why these numbers matter.
Beyond that, I foster a culture built on two other core principles. First, we succeed or learn as a team. We problem-solve together seeking everyone’s input, deciding on the right path forward, and commit to it together. Second, no one suffers alone. Our teams are spread across different parts of the world, so our leadership team is always on the look out that no one is isolated, overloaded and struggling on their own. We are ONE team.
The automotive industry is shifting with new technologies and inconsistent customer demands. From your perspective as CFO, what’s the biggest financial challenge or opportunity you see for GHSP right now?
The Automotive industry is definitely not for the weak. It has always had an abundance of challenges and opportunities. Shifting demands and technology evolution are constant challenges, yet they provide great opportunities for growth. Our challenges as a Tier 1 supplier are pursuing careful growth, structured change management, and operational agility in changing environments.
2025 continues to be a clear example of changing market environments. External elements like macroeconomic factors and rapid changes in government regulations test our ability to problem-solve, change course, and execute successfully. GHSP’s 100+ years of experience is a testament to its enduring capacity for evolution and success.
You’ve had a unique path, from product development and software engineering to CFO. What inspired that shift? How does your technical background help you in your role today and what advice do you have for emerging leaders growing in their careers?
Curiosity drives me. I was in product development for about 11 years, but shifted from chassis, to interiors and powertrain divisions within that time. It was curiosity, more than ambition. On the outside, transitioning to finance seems like such a huge leap, but for me, it felt like a natural evolution. Was it scary? For sure. But it was more exciting than scary. How do the products I help make provide margins to the business unit? How can we optimize to improve on margins? Reuse? My engineering brain was highly stimulated. I realized that finance is the language of business strategy, and I wanted to become fluent in it.
As for advice, I’d tell emerging leaders to cultivate “lateral curiosity.” Don’t just focus on the next step up one specific ladder. The path forward isn’t always up; it can be sideways. I’ve taken lateral moves in the past that didn’t change my paycheck, but it was still a win because I was learning something entirely new. Don’t be intimidated by a space where you have no experience. Let your curiosity overpower your fear.
You are accomplished in your industry. Tell us about your habits and things that guide your thinking. How do you stay sharp and continue growing as a financial leader and industry expert?
The most important thing for me is maintaining a healthy balance. You simply cannot throw yourself completely into your work 24/7 and expect to excel every day. At the end of the day, my husband, my daughters (plus my Chow Chow dog Lulu), and my life outside the office help balance and ground me, which allows me to continue performing even during the most grueling times.
A core guiding principle for me is recognizing that I don’t know everything. True growth is impossible if you believe you have all the answers. By starting with this humble mindset, you remain open to learning, which is the sole path to development. I consistently benefit from my team’s diverse experiences and unique problem-solving approaches.
To stay sharp, I focus on networking, reading, and connecting. I start my day absorbing information—not just our internal metrics, but broader market trends, economic reports, and tech news. Just as importantly, I connect with people—mentors, peers in other industries, and our teams. Getting those diverse perspectives is critical for challenging my own assumptions.
What about your work has you most excited right now?
I’m energized by the transformation in our industry, but what excites me most is how far our GHSP team has come. The challenges we’ve overcome in the past two years have strengthened my belief in the products we proudly make. Our global footprint is a powerful asset in navigating change.
Looking back, we’re clearly not the same company we were. We’re stronger, more capable, and ready for what’s ahead. Helping to build and finance a sustainable, innovative future with this incredible team is what drives me.
What do you enjoy most about doing business in West Michigan?
After moving from Detroit to West Michigan, what stands out most is the region’s unique culture of collaboration. People here naturally engage, share, and support one another—without the silos you often see elsewhere.
There’s a genuine “we’re in this together” mindset. Businesses aren’t just competitors—they’re neighbors. That spirit of openness and teamwork makes this a truly exceptional place to work.
Can you share why it is a priority for GHSP to invest in the economic development of the Lakeshore region?
For GHSP, investing in the Lakeshore region is a strategic imperative, not just philanthropy. Our success is fundamentally linked to the health and vitality of this community, where we live and, critically, where we recruit our talent. It’s not a charity effort; it’s a “win-win.”
GHSP has been here for over 100 years for a reason: the talent, the know-how, and the strong work ethic in West Michigan are the recipe for success.
A strong economic development partner like Lakeshore Advantage is essential because it provides the leadership that fosters and supports growth for the entire region. Lakeshore Advantage acts as a hub, tackling the big issues that no single company can solve alone—like talent attraction, workforce development, and infrastructure.
Simply put, when the Lakeshore region thrives, GHSP has access to a world-class talent pool. Investing in our community is a direct investment in GHSP’s own long-term, sustainable future.
