Beate Gminder heads the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) of the European Commission. She oversees the implementation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, the safeguarding of an open and fully functioning Schengen area of free movement, and the further strengthening of internal security in the EU. In her previous function as Deputy Director-General of DG HOME and Head of the Task Force Migration Management, Gminder led the efforts of the European Commission and its agencies to support Member States operationally in migration challenges, particularly in Greece and Cyprus, but also in view of the Ukrainians fleeing the war. She is a career official of the European Commission, with various postings including as spokesperson for food safety and consumer protection and adviser to Commissioners. Before taking on her posts in DG HOME, first as Director in 2018 and then Deputy Director-General in 2020, she worked as Secretary General of the European Ombudsman. Photo credits: © European Union, 1995-2025