Elke joined Kumeu Veterinary Services in 1996 and since the merger currently works in the companion animal side of the practice at Vets North Kumeu & Waimauku.  She studied veterinary medicine at the Tieraerztliche Hochschule in Hannover, Germany.  She moved to New Zealand in 1993 to complete her post graduate research project.

Elke lives on a lifestyle block in Taupaki which she shares with her husband, two girls, several horses, sheep, chickens and her cat Moritz.