Building the Future of Baystar Operations: A Conversation with Sarina Michiels, VP of Operations

Baystar has entered an exciting new chapter with the arrival of Sarina Michiels, the company’s new Vice President of Operations.

With experience spanning Europe, the Middle East, and now the United States—and a career rooted in diverse operational settings across the petrochemical industry—Sarina steps into Baystar at a moment rich with possibility.

For her, the move isn’t just a professional shift; it’s an energizing challenge. “The full scope of operations excites me,” she shared. “When I look at the people and the technology we have, the potential is huge. I’m looking forward to applying the experience I’ve gained throughout my career and implementing that here together with the team to reach a new level of operational excellence.”

And that mindset aligns with the broader moment Baystar finds itself in. With Borstar® technology expanding, Sarina sees the company positioned exactly where the momentum is building. As she puts it, “the USA is the place to be.” She's quick to acknowledge that the path we're on now was shaped by the grit and determination of those who started the journey. “I have to give credit to those who were here at the beginning—a lot of great work has already been done, and it wasn’t easy.” 

Diversity—of cultures, viewpoints, and work environments—has been a defining thread throughout her career. During her time in Abu Dhabi, she worked at a site with employees from 46 nationalities, a blend that shaped the way she leads today. “What I take forward is how magnificently well different cultures can work together. You see that mix here in the U.S. too. For me, breaking silos is essential—operations, maintenance, HSSE, OPEX… it’s one team.”

That global lens also gave her a deep appreciation for how varied problem‑solving can be. “Engineers in Europe are not the same as engineers in the Philippines, the UAE, or the U.S. Everyone has different training and influences. Working together gives you the opportunity to learn from one another. That combination gives you great output. If everyone always has the same ideas, we never get better.”

That drive for shared learning and improvement shows up clearly in her servant-leadership style. “I work for my people. It’s my responsibility to ensure my team feels comfortable and confident in their roles, fully supported and empowered to deliver their best.” She describes her approach as both visionary and transformational, guided by structure, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Moving an organization toward stronger performance, she believes, begins with clarity. “First, you give teams common targets—safe operations, strong reliability, and the right quality.” But clarity alone is not enough; connection matters just as much. “A simple but effective way to break silos is to put people together in a room and have open discussions. When teams understand each other’s workload and challenges, they work better together.” Those conversations don’t just improve alignment—they often reveal new perspectives.

Safety, she says, is another area where leadership must be unmistakably visible. “As a leader, you show every day that safety is your priority. Open every meeting with a safety moment. Be present in the plant. Talk to people. From a process safety perspective, make sure the systems are rigorous and the performance indicators clear.” Her philosophy is straightforward: a safe plant is a reliable plant—but an unsafe plant can never be reliable.

Sarina also brings valuable experience navigating joint‑venture environments. Having previously worked in another JV, she sees familiar patterns at Baystar. “It’s important that we are Baystar employees first. We listen to our owners, follow up on their guidance, and value their expertise—but we must also keep our own identity and strive for what is best for Baystar. When we do that, we do what’s best for everyone.”

By the time she finishes describing her vision, one thing becomes clear: Sarina is not here to maintain the status quo. She is here to shape what’s next. And for Baystar, that future looks focused, collaborative, and fueled by the belief that with the right structure and the right team, excellence isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.

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