Kirsten Fehrs

Kirsten Fehrs's career is marked by a series of historic firsts and leadership milestones. She became the first bishop of the Hamburg and Lübeck district when the Nordkirche was formed in 2012, breaking new ground for women in German Protestant leadership. Her election as chair of the EKD Council in 2024 placed her at the helm of Germany's largest Protestant federation, a role she has used to advocate for ecumenical cooperation, social justice, and democratic engagement. Her pastoral leadership during crises has earned her respect across the church and beyond, making her one of the most influential religious figures in Europe today.