Former STB senior manager shares how MNCs & govt agencies can create greater social impact together

For most people, public policy and global travel couldn’t be more different pursuits — but for Matin Mohdari, both align perfectly with his passion for innovation and transforming experiences.

From his early days in public service to his current role as Head of Public Policy, Government, and Corporate Affairs at Expedia Group, Matin’s career has been driven by the desire to make an impact.

From public to private

His journey began at the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), where he spent six transformative years shaping the travel landscape through tech innovation.

This period gave him “a fantastic career experience” and sparked his growing curiosity about digital economies, eventually leading him to the private sector.

“I felt ready to go down the rabbit hole after the stint at STB,” Matin recalls about making the bold leap to Grab, one of Southeast Asia’s leading super-apps.

His time at Grab, built on his public sector foundations, gave him a fresh perspective on driving growth and innovation, setting the stage for the next exciting chapter of his career.

“As a startup back then, Grab was at a very different growth phase. The learning curve was steeper, and most skills were picked up on the job,” Matin shares.

Beyond learning new skills, he found himself adapting to a different organisational culture.

Grab’s flatter hierarchy and more open communication style shaped Matin’s approach to leadership. Combined with the experience gained from his previous stint at STB, he became adept at engaging with both the public and private sectors.

Making a meaningful impact during his time at Expedia

Today at Expedia Group, a world-leading travel technology company with its Singapore office established in 2016, Matin’s role has expanded his professional horizons and aligned with his personal aspirations of giving back to society.

His day-to-day work involves understanding and navigating the complex policy and regulatory landscape across Asia-Pacific, a challenge that has honed his strategic thinking and diplomatic skills.

Moreover, Matin’s role at Expedia Group puts him at the forefront of collaboration between the private and public sectors.

Working with governments on broader issues related to the digital economy, he brings together Expedia Group’s experts to help address challenges like tech inequality and responsible use of technology.

“I believe there is a need for collaborative efforts between MNCs and the government sector to advance the local and regional travel industry landscape. This will create jobs and provide employees with valuable global exposure,” Matin explains.

He is also leading Expedia Group’s three-year collaboration with STB, which seeks to bolster STB’s forecast of 15 million tourist arrivals to 16.5 million, and the amount of tourist spending from S$27.5 billion to S$29 billion.

Both parties will embark on a global marketing campaign aimed at increasing visitor arrivals and expenditure while promoting Singapore’s unique and captivating tourism experiences across key international markets.

STB ‘s partnership with Expedia Group will also spearhead innovative approaches to engage travellers and enrich their Singapore experience.

Beyond his professional life, Matin is driven to inspire the next generation of tech talent and hopes to mentor students to rethink the future of travel and address the challenges of an ageing population.

He began this effort by advising on tech policy for the National Youth Council Singapore’s inaugural Youth Panel, which lets youths work with government agencies on policy development.

Drawing from his experiences at Expedia Group, Matin established the School of Day 1 to offer practical, hands-on advice for young people interested in STEM and startups.

Unlike traditional programmes that might be more theoretically driven, School of Day 1 centres on giving actionable tips and real-world experiences from the get-go.

Matin wanted to create something that genuinely helps people realise their dreams and finds this approach rewarding.

“I get to work with many wonderful and talented young people every single day, and I'm always learning in the process. For that, I’m truly grateful,” he says.

When asked about his future, Matin replies without hesitation, “Every day is a gift. I hope to continue pursuing my passions and exploring new opportunities through my work and mentorship initiatives.”

Inspired to carve a career in a global enterprise? You can read about more Singaporeans building their careers in global enterprises here.

This article was first published on the Gov.sg and EDB’s website.

Top image from EDB.