Ursula von der Leyen, Minister of Defense, Germany

Ursula von der Leyen is a German politician who has served as the Minister of Defense since 2013. A doctor by profession, she previously served as the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs from 2009 to 2013 and as the Minister of Senior Citizens, Women and Youth from 2005 to 2009. A working mother of seven children and the first female Minister of Defense in German history, her progressive work on children, woman and work/life balance issues have been well noted in Germany and around the world.