In the world of commercial real estate and urban development — industries traditionally dominated by men — Gillespie Group stands as a striking outlier.
Based in the heart of Lansing, the company has spent more than three decades transforming the regional skyline. Yet, as founder and CEO Pat Gillespie will tell you, the most impressive aspect of the company isn’t what they build; it’s the people behind it.
Approximately 60% of the company’s leadership team and 45% of its 86 employees are women, statistics Gillespie attributes to a culture of multitasking, urgency and high‐level execution. It starts at the top. President and Chief Operating Officer Rachel Michaud has been with the company for 31 of its 33 years.
“I come up with these ideas and concepts,” Gillespie said. “Rachel’s unique ability is building the team and putting the people together to carry out those ideas. Her specialty is finding ‘doers.’ People who can show up, wear many hats and get things done.”
That continuity of leadership has afforded Gillespie Group the ability to move beyond standard management. The group doesn’t just develop and disappear; it manages every asset it builds, keeping it within its own portfolio. This all‐in approach ensures that its staff remains deeply invested in the long‐term success of every tenant and every square foot.
Gillespie Group’s edge in the Greater Lansing area comes down to a simple truth: The team lives where it builds.
“A lot of our folks were born and raised here,” Gillespie said. “They know what Lansing used to be, and they know where we want to go. When they talk to a client or a prospect, who better to sell the vision than someone who is truly excited about it? It’s not just a job. … They’re part of the growth of the region.”
That local passion has fueled the company’s focus on urban mixed‐use projects, specifically in the Stadium District and downtown Lansing.
Success hasn’t come without its hurdles. Gillespie noted the first 15 years were spent strictly in the surrounding areas, like Jackson, Portland and Charlotte, before the company invested in Lansing’s urban core.
“We want to do more of the same moving forward — but more efficiently,” he said.
Part of that evolution involves a constant hunger for learning. The group frequently interviews other companies, including competitors, to ask how they do things.
“We know what we know, but we don’t know what we don’t know,” he said. “That humbleness is part of our brand.”
As the industry shifts toward AI‐ integrated buildings and changing transportation needs, Gillespie Group is already preparing for the next 10 years. With 10 to 15 projects currently in the hopper, including developments near Frandor shopping center and along Michigan Avenue, the company is more bullish on Lansing than ever.
“The next 10 years are going to be better than the last 10,” Gillespie predicted. “We’re seeing good energy and a great pipeline.”
