Mark St. Germain

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Mark St. Germain is the Global HSE Director at Mitsui, where he leads safety strategies across multiple industries and regions. With a background in operational safety, Mark recognised the need to expand his skillset and transition from a hands-on technical role to a global leadership position.

He chose AIB for its fully online MBA program, which allowed him to continue working while gaining the strategic thinking and business acumen necessary to lead on a global scale. By applying the insights and frameworks from the MBA, Mark has been able to bridge safety with business success, making an even greater impact in his field.

In the interview below, we speak with Mark about his motivations for pursuing an MBA, his experience at AIB and how the program has influenced his approach to leadership and global safety management.

You started your career in operational safety roles and have now risen to Global HSE Director at Mitsui. How did your early experiences in safety management shape your leadership approach, particularly when managing global teams?

Starting out in operational safety gave me practical experience that I still rely on today. I quickly learned that balancing quality, safety, and schedule is key—if you focus too much on one, the others can suffer. As I moved into global leadership, I brought this lesson with me. Leading teams across different cultures taught me how important communication and collaboration are to meet safety and operational goals. Leadership, for me, is about creating a culture where safety, quality, and efficiency go hand-in-hand.

Transitioning from a hands-on role in safety to overseeing global HSE initiatives must have come with challenges. Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that helped you make this shift, and what you learned from it? 

A big moment in my career was leading over 100+ Australian HSE professionals on the Ichthys Onshore LNG Project in Darwin, Australia. Working with both Japanese engineers and Australian teams was a challenge, but it highlighted how important cultural awareness and flexibility are. It taught me how to work across different ways of thinking about safety, which helped me grow as a leader.

As someone who transitioned from a technical safety role to global leadership, what were the most important skills or perspectives you needed to develop? Did your MBA influence your transformation, and if so, how?

Moving from a hands-on safety role to a global leadership position meant I had to develop new skills, like strategic thinking and understanding the business side of things. My MBA from AIB was a huge help in this transition. It gave me the tools to move from focusing on day-to-day tasks to thinking big picture. It also taught me how to balance different priorities and connect safety with overall business success. The MBA gave me the confidence to lead diverse teams and make safety a part of the business strategy.

For professionals considering an MBA to make a significant career pivot, particularly from a specialised field like safety, what would you say to them? Did your MBA play a key role in your own career shift? 

If you’re in a specialized field like safety, I think getting an MBA is one of the best things you can do for your career. It helps you see the bigger picture and gives you credibility with project managers and business leaders. The MBA gave me the framework to combine safety and business, and it’s been a game changer.

Your career has taken you across multiple industries and regions. How do you tailor your global HSE strategy to meet the demands of different cultures, industries and operational challenges? 

In my role as Global HSE Director, I’ve learned that safety strategies need to be adapted to fit different cultures and industries. What works in one country might not work in another. It’s not just about following rules—it’s about building a strong safety culture. If the culture isn’t right, the system won’t work. Flexibility, respect for local practices, and aligning safety with business goals are key to success.

Looking back on your MBA journey at AIB, what advice would you give to people who are considering an MBA and to current students at AIB?

My advice is to dive into the experience fully! Go to the webinars, work with the support teams, and connect with your classmates. The different perspectives you’ll get are valuable. The lessons and relationships you build will stick with you long after graduation. I use what I learned at AIB every day as a global leader. 

In closing, I believe visible leadership is the most important part of HSE. It’s not just about being seen – it’s about being felt. Success in safety is creating an environment where people know their well-being comes first.