My journey … 25 years in business, 8 years in public administration
From my apprenticeship at Nordland Papier to my role as managing director at the Emsland Business Association. A look back at the stages of my career that have shaped me.
Sabrina Wendt
My career began in 1998 with a commercial apprenticeship at Nordland Papier in Dörpen. From there, I progressed step by step … first as a specialist buyer, then taking on increasing responsibility.
Between 2006 and 2011, my husband and I left the Emsland region. Professional posts in Austria (Voith Siemens, later UPM-Kymmene Steyrermühl) gave me international procurement experience. At the same time, I studied business administration part-time … graduating in 2011 with a Diploma in Business Administration (FH).
In 2012, I returned to Papenburg. At Ems PreCab, a subsidiary of Meyer Werft, I spent four years building up the supplier network. There, I learnt how the Papenburg shipyard site functions from an industrial perspective … and the role played by strong regional supply chains.
Then, in 2016, I made the move into local government. For eight years, I was the business development officer for the city of Papenburg. I headed up a specialist unit, served on the supervisory board of Seaports of Niedersachsen, and built the digital marketplace Papenburg with click and collect during the coronavirus period, which was honoured with the ‘Digital Places in Lower Saxony’ award. Key projects: Value Port Papenburg (81 hectares) and the 2018–2022 Economic Development Strategy. Plus further training as a business coach (IHK).
During this time, I learnt a great deal … about the city, about administrative processes, and about the interplay between politics, business and the community. But also about where structures help … and where they hold things back.
Since May 2024, I have been Managing Director of the Emsland Business Association (Wirtschaftsverband Emsland e. V.) and the Emsland Foundation for Work and Family in Meppen. It’s a role that fulfils me … because it shows how regional economic policy can really make a difference.
And since early 2026, I have been standing as a candidate for mayor of Papenburg.
What links all these stages of my career is an interest in people, in structures and in solutions. Understanding industry, building structures, bringing people together … that is the common thread.
I believe that is exactly what Papenburg needs right now.