Federal Councillor Viola Amherd was elected to the Federal Council in 2018, where she has been Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) since 1 January 2019, making her Switzerland's first female Defence Minister. This year she will also serve as Vice-President of the Federal Council.

Viola Amherd was born in 1962 and grew up in Brig-Glis. She attended college in Brig and studied law at the University of Fribourg. She was admitted to the Bar of the Canton of Valais in 1991. Since then she has worked as an independent lawyer and notary in Brig-Glis.

Viola Amherd began her political career in 1992 in the executive of Brig-Glis. She was Mayor of Brig-Glis from 2000-2012. In 2005 she was elected to the National Council. Since 2011 she has been Vice-President of the CVP parliamentary group in the Federal Parliament.

Viola Amherd has also held various board of directors mandates and has been active in clubs and associations.