Career Biography

Dr. Stephan A. Mechnig is a distinguished international legal executive with over three decades of experience advising global corporations across industries. Known for his strategic legal insight, integrity, and leadership, he has consistently delivered innovative solutions in complex regulatory environments, high-stakes negotiations, and corporate transformations.

Currently serving as Chief Legal, Compliance & Sustainability Officer and Executive Board Member at Swarovski International Holding, Dr. Mechnig leads the global legal and sustainability functions, managing teams across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. He advises the Board of Directors on legal matters and has implemented the company’s first corporate compliance programs, reinforcing governance and ethical standards across the group.

Previously, he held a pivotal role at Unternehmensgruppe Theo Mueller, where he served for nearly a decade as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. He oversaw all legal affairs for the Group, advised the Executive and Supervisory Boards, and led a team of over 40 legal professionals. His legal leadership extended to mergers and acquisitions, where he successfully managed several strategic M&A projects, navigating complex cross-border transactions and integrating legal due diligence with business objectives. He also established the company’s compliance and data protection frameworks, led crisis management efforts, and oversaw regulatory affairs and internal investigations.

At Nestlé S.A., Dr. Mechnig served as Vice President Compliance & Security, where he developed and implemented the company’s first global compliance program. This included a Code of Business Conduct, anti-corruption and antitrust initiatives, and a global integrity reporting system. He chaired the Group Compliance Committee and led corporate security and brand protection efforts, while contributing to sustainability and human rights initiatives.

His global legal perspective was further shaped by his role as General Counsel EMEAI/Asia at The Wrigley Company, where he built legal departments across Europe and Asia, managed regulatory affairs, and represented corporate interests in legislative matters. At The Coca-Cola Company, he served as Business Affairs Counsel, negotiating major sponsorship agreements with FIFA and the IOC, and managing legal relationships for global sports properties.

Dr. Mechnig began his legal career in Germany, advising international clients on competition and marketing law. He holds a Ph.D. in Law (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Mannheim, a Master of Comparative Jurisprudence from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Diploma in European Competition Law from King’s College London. His academic excellence is reflected in scholarships from the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes and the Deutscher Akademischer Auslandsdienst.

A published author and co-publisher of the Corporate Compliance Magazine, Dr. Mechnig is recognized for his thought leadership in compliance, governance, and legal strategy. His career is defined by a commitment to ethical leadership, legal innovation, and the ability to navigate complex challenges with clarity and purpose