Anja was born in Germany and spent her childhood in Africa, returning to Germany to complete her formal education. In 1978, she joined her then hotel manager husband, traveling and supporting him in several countries in the Middle East, Australia, Tahiti and Asia.

During the past 20 years, she has held several senior management and leadership positions, notably as Regional Director Europe at TravelClick, hospitality technology provider and as Vice President EMEA Sales Kempinski Hotels & Resorts, an international luxury hotel group. In 2007, Anja moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where, under the auspices of Geneva Tourism, she launched the Geneva Convention Bureau to formalise the city’s convention business. Under her leadership the bureau has developed into one of Europe’s leading Convention Bureaux with a staff of 10. 

Anja was on the Marketing Board of the Switzerland and Incentive Bureau (SCIB) and was elected to the Board of Directors of Destinations International in her fourth year. Anja is also faculty member of the ECM Academy and member of the Meetings Industry Steering group at ECM (European Cities Marketing). She has been named one of the 25 most influential people in the meetings industry for 2016 by Successful Meetings.