When many small people in many small places take many small steps, they can change the face of the world.” This African proverb is my life motto and drive. Even as a teenager, I was frustrated with classmates who only complained but didn’t want to take action themselves. Therefore, I consciously decided to do things differently, to take responsibility, and to get politically involved.

At the age of 28, I was successfully elected as the youngest member of the Bavarian State Parliament. This came as a surprise, and I faced a double challenge: asserting myself in two male-dominated fields (medicine and politics). I succeeded excellently in both.

At just 32 years old, I was entrusted with the role of Social State Secretary in the cabinet, and once again, I was the youngest member and one of the few women in the Bavarian State Government.

In 2013, I was entrusted with a challenging task: as a newly appointed State Minister, I had to establish an independent State Ministry for Health and Care. I was able to achieve real improvements both in Bavaria and in Berlin. From the country doctor quota to the establishment bonus for general practitioners and midwives, from the prevention plan to the dementia strategy, from the care place initiative through the pharmaceutical dialogue to the introduction of health regions plus… I successfully launched numerous programs or initiated legislative projects that ensure reliable health and care services for people and are still effective today.

For a total of 16 years, I bore responsibility in the Bavarian Cabinet and also negotiated two coalition agreements at the federal level. As State Minister for European Affairs and International Relations, I vigorously represented Bavaria’s interests at the European and international levels. I remain active as Deputy Chairman of the CSU party and, of course, as a member of the State Parliament.

My personal commitment is to be there for the people. Listening and acting is my motto. Whether for my home region of Bamberg or all of Bavaria: to take up concerns and advocate for them, I prefer direct conversations and therefore travel a lot.

I am fortunate to have a family that is understanding and supportive. This makes it possible to balance two wonderful children and a demanding job. Many thanks to my loved ones.