After completing her studies in business informatics at the University of Münster, Katja Kümmel worked as a project manager for international ERP projects in industry and trade. She then focused on global application, strategy, and project management in companies across various sectors.

Since 2010, she has headed the IT division at the University Hospital Münster. Since 2012, she has also been Managing Director of UKM Management Solutions GmbH, which offers start-up and management consulting as well as professional management of IT and organizational projects in hospitals. UKM MS also includes the dhh (digital healthcare hub), which evaluates, pilots, and implements innovative digital solutions in healthcare.