After completing her degree in Economics at the Universities of Mainz and Freiburg, Christa Koenen worked in several different companies including as a strategy consultant. In addition she earned her MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona. Christa Koenen joined Deutsche Bahn in 2004, where she initially worked in Group Strategy followed by several different positions in the Services business unit. Prior to her appointment as Managing Director, she was Head of Controlling and Business Development for the business unit. In August 2011, she was appointed Managing Director for Finance and Controlling of DB Kommunikationstechnik GmbH. In May 2014, Christa Koenen joined the Management Board of DB Systel as Managing Director for Finance and Controlling. Effective May 1, 2015, she was additionally appointed Chair of the Management Board of DB Systel. As of October 2015, she is Chair of the Management Board exclusivley.