Thekla Walker was born in Dülmen on 28 March 1969.
For many years, she has been active in environmental protection, nature conservation, modernisation of the economy and promotion of educational equality. Her involvement in nature conservation led her into politics.
Thekla Walker began her work in environmental policy years ago as a member of the Greenpeace group in Stuttgart. As part of the radio team, she produced programmes on a variety of topics relating to the environment and energy. She also conducted live interviews and produced documentaries on the Bonn Climate Change Conference in 2001 and the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.
From 2009 to 2014 Thekla Walker was a member of the Stuttgart city council for Alliance 90/The Greens, and from 2011 to 2016 she was chairperson of the state association of the Greens in Baden-Württemberg.
Since May 2016, she has held a directly elected seat in the Baden-Württemberg state parliament for electoral district 05, Böblingen. From 2016 to 2021, she was deputy chairperson of the Green parliamentary group and spokesperson for financial policy and animal welfare policy.
Since May 2021: Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy Sector of the State of Baden-Württemberg
Since May 2016: Directly elected representative for electoral district 05, Böblingen
2016 to 2021: Deputy chairperson of the Green parliamentary group and spokesperson for financial policy and animal welfare policy
2011 to 2016: Chairperson of the state association of the Greens in Baden-Württemberg
2009 to 2014: Member of the Stuttgart city council for Alliance 90/The Greens
Since 2009: Independent lecturer in nature education, Department of Social Work Studies, Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University Stuttgart (DHBW) and at the Württemberg Academy of Business and Administration
2009 to 2012: Project director of “Overcoming Barriers”, training for nature scouts in a multicultural youth group. Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union, Stuttgart (NABU).
Since 2004: Planning and implementation of nature education events for families, children, students and teachers in training
2005 to 2008: Press and public relations officer, Federation of Free Waldorf Schools
2004 to 2005: Freelance collaboration, fundraising and communication for the Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Southwest Germany and the Protestant Association for the Schneller Schools in the Middle East (EVS)
2002 to 2004: Marketing coordinator for the Neue Mitte urban planning project, City of Göppingen.
1993 to 1999: Employment with the Baden-Württemberg House of History
2003 to 2006: Freie Hochschule Stuttgart – Seminar for Waldorf Pedagogy, continuing education: training as a form teacher
2002 to 2003: Further training for qualification as a nature teacher, Freiburg Nature School
1989 to 1997: University of Tübingen: History with an emphasis on contemporary history; American Studies (no degree)