In a time when many young professionals chase global careers, Michelle Tiu Lim-Chan made a different choice. After graduating from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver in 1999, she returned to the Philippines to help her family grow their fishing business. What followed would transform not only her life but the Filipino food industry itself. Michelle would go on to lead the birth of Mega Sardines, a household name today, and rise to become the President and CEO of Mega Prime Foods Inc.
In an exclusive interview with Financial Adviser PH, Michelle shared how her decision to return home, her instinctive leadership, and her sense of purpose became the foundation for building one of the country’s most trusted consumer brands.
The Decision to Come Home
“I grew up seeing the dedication my parents put into building Mega,” Michelle recalled. “That sense of purpose stayed with me.”
Despite the allure of an international career, Michelle chose to come home. Her family had been operating a fishing business, supplying raw materials to local canneries. At the time, they were just beginning to consider venturing into branded canned sardines.
“It just so happened that when I joined, Mega Sardines was born,” she said. “That marked the start of my career, and it was incredibly fulfilling because we were starting with a clean slate.”
That decision—to return home, to start from scratch, and to build something meaningful—would define her leadership journey for the next two decades.
Building Mega Sardines From the Ground Up
Michelle didn’t walk into a polished, fully built corporation. Instead, she entered at a time when the brand didn’t exist. That allowed her to play a key role in laying the foundations, establishing systems, and guiding growth.
“I helped build the systems and structure from the ground up,” she said. “That’s something I’m really proud of because it taught me how to be resourceful, strategic, and people-focused.”
Michelle emphasized that starting small gave her a deep understanding of every part of the business. From supply chain logistics to marketing to operations, she immersed herself in the day-to-day challenges.
Born to Lead
From early on, Michelle demonstrated natural leadership instincts. “I’ve always been a leader,” she said. “I don’t wait for people to tell me what to do. I take responsibility, identify root causes of problems, and create systems to make sure they’re addressed and controlled.”
Her approach was grounded not just in strategy but also in developing people. She consistently focused on helping team members grow into their potential, encouraging a culture of accountability and purpose.
This proactive mindset helped her earn credibility within the organization. As a family member, she understood the perception challenges, but she chose to earn trust through action, performance, and integrity.
“Being part of the family wasn’t enough to gain respect. I had to work for it,” she explained.
Mentorship and Values That Shaped Her Path
Michelle credits her father as a major influence in her leadership journey. “He mentored me every step of the way,” she shared. “His guidance shaped how I lead, how I listen, how I make decisions.”
That mentorship instilled in her the company’s core values: malasakit (compassion), excellence, and resilience. These values remain the bedrock of Mega Prime Foods’ operations and culture today.
Her mother, too, played an essential role in developing her sense of responsibility at a young age. “At 16, I was left in Canada to care for my four younger brothers while my mom traveled back and forth to the Philippines,” she recalled.
That experience gave her a head start on what would become her dual role as a mother to her own four children and a nurturing yet driven leader to over 3,000 employees at Mega.
Leadership With Purpose
Michelle’s ascent to CEO was not driven by personal ambition but by a strong sense of mission. “I didn’t set out to become CEO,” she said. “But as I took on more responsibility and saw where I could add value, I naturally moved into that role.”
Her leadership philosophy is clear: titles are secondary to influence and impact.
“The true measure of success isn’t in the title you hold, but in the help you give and the influence you create,” she emphasized. “That’s what leadership is really about.”
Under her leadership, Mega Prime Foods has become a model for family-led businesses navigating growth, innovation, and professionalization. From launching new products to embracing digital transformation and expanding operations, she has led with both vision and discipline.
A Legacy Reimagined
While many second-generation leaders feel the weight of legacy, Michelle sees it as a source of motivation. “The pressure is real, but I see it more as a responsibility than a burden,” she said. “I respect our legacy deeply, but I also know I need to bring my own voice to the table.”
That balance—of respecting tradition while embracing change—has allowed her to lead the company into new eras while staying grounded in the values her parents instilled.
“We regularly hold Executive Committee meetings to align on our direction and long-term goals,” she shared. “It’s never about personal ambition. It’s always about what’s best for the company and our people.”
