defi SOLUTIONS recently sat down with Gary Ito, Chief Financial Officer at defi SOLUTIONS, to learn a little bit more about his day-to-day and his approach to leadership.

In a few sentences, how would you describe your role? 

As the chief financial officer for defi, I’m responsible for the financial strength of the company, and most importantly, ensuring the company has the financial resources to accomplish its objectives. 

Why did you decide to join the defi SOLUTIONS team? 

Earlier in my career, I was at a company that was also in automotive. It was very interesting; I enjoyed the industry tremendously, and I think it’s a very strong part of our economy. Another thing that I really liked about defi SOLUTIONS was the financial profile of the company. It’s a growing company, has improving profitability, and I really felt that I could contribute to that. 

Can you tell us about your past experience that helped shape your approach to your work? 

In one of my earlier jobs, I was the CFO of a supply chain software company, and we had some very, very tough times. By sticking with our mission and staying close to our customers, we were able to turn that company into one that grew quickly and was profitable. That journey was something I enjoyed immensely. 

What does leadership mean to you? How do you inspire your team? 

For me, leadership means really giving my team objectives and context for their work, as well as how that work aligns with what the company is trying to accomplish overall.