My deepest condolences to Michaela’s family for this terrible loss.  Her infectious laughter, commitment to equality and unwavering belief in people will be remembered….

Michaela was warm, caring, brilliant and always so elegant!  Colleagues in the gender and development field, we became friends and had plans for joint work and joint fun travel. I saw her recently in London, and was amazed at her strength and fighting spirit. What a big loss and what a great privilege to have met her.   My deepest condolences to the family.  I will miss her.  …

I was very sad to hear the news. What a huge loss! A devoted and passionate professional, a well-respected former colleague and a true champion in social and gender domains. I am grateful to have worked on some challenging projects together with Michaela as one team and to have learnt from her. My sincere condolences to Michaela’s family. She will be truly missed. RIP …

The passing of Michaela is a huge loss not only for her family but also the International E&S family and community of practice. My deepest and sincere condolences to the grieved family. May her soul rests in peace.  …

It is really difficult to assimilate this loss.  Some months ago with Michaela were chatting regarding some trip were we can meet. I met Michaela 18 years ago for a social resttlement plan for 180 families in Armenia. the project last almost 8 years, was very complicated and challenge, but with the help and support of Michaela profesionalism everything become easier, and today all those families are thankful for the changes in their lives. Through this project, Michaela travelled to Armenia almost every month, and we had the chance to share hundred of dinners.  Once the project was terminated with a great success, we were already very good friends.  Michaela hold my daughter after one month she born, and we had the oportunity to spend some free time in our vineyards in Armenia and also during her trip to Argentina and Uruguay.  All my family love Michaela.  We are all sad and miss her, but we keep with us her beautiful smile, her elegance, intelligence, optimism and mianly her generosity.  My condolence to Michaela’s beautiful family, we have never met, but thru Michaela I know all including Laleh and Zirou from whom she has a special devotion.    Marcelo…

I was new to EBRD when I met Michaela. I was instantly drawn to her warmth, energy and excitement about making a difference! I wish I had the chance to work with her more closely as she really made an impact on others. For now, my sincerest condolences to her loved ones. She will be missed and remembered by all. …

My deepest condolences to Michaela’s family and friends. This is such sad news, and we have lost a remarkable woman. I first met Michaela in my early days in my new job at a new organisation. She was present, she was strong and made sure she was heard. A fierce and dedicated supporter of empowerment and voices for women in our region, but also for her friends and colleagues. She was always available to talk and deliberate. I fondly remember my conversations with her, discussing challenges at work, career opportunities and some personal hurdles, she oftentimes provided a new and insightful perspective, and never missed an opportunity to see the good or funny side of things. And she pushed me not to hide. She was a true powerhouse and force for good. Michaela will be dearly missed….

I was saddened to hear the news about Michaela’s passing. The last time I saw her in person we were having tea in my house in Beijing. I was hoping for many more teas, coffees and glasses of wine together! I started my career as a social development specialist working for her. I will never forget how she took me under her wings. She was a true mentor, an inspiring leader and an unstoppable force. Just last week i was talking to someone about her passion for her work, defending the rights of the vulnerable, giving voice to those who had none. I am beyond grateful that I knew her for so many years. She was a real lady with impeccable style. I have many great memories with her: challenging projects, drinks after work, site visits, late evenings in the office, heart to heart discussions. She will be remembered fondly by many! …

My deepest condolences to the family on the loss of Michaela.  She was an inspiration to all of us who were lucky enough to know her professionally and personally. The world of economic and social development has lost a titan.  Michaela devoted her life to the fight for gender empowerment and equality and social justice.  I already knew of her pathbreaking work at project level when I joined EBRD in 2012, eg the creative and humane way she handled resettlement issues caused by much needed but controversial constructions.  But it was Michaela’s leadership in designing EBRD’s first ever gender strategy that left a lasting impression on the organisation and the countries in which it invests.  It is remarkable now to recall how much opposition there was from some obscurantist shareholder representatives to the development of an EBRD gender strategy.  It was Michaela’s determination, passion, ability to marshall the evidence, and influence the reluctant that won the day.  And it was that gender strategy, followed by many country-level “women in business” investment facilities that Michaela had more than a hand in creating, which transformed EBRD’s value offer as a development bank.  And in more recent years, despite the remote working…

I first got to know Michaela while working for a commercial bank, accompanying her and other EBRD colleagues on a memorable due diligence trip to Sakhalin Island while working on the Sakhalin II project.  She possessed a sharp intellect as well as a maginficently mischievous sense of humour.  I was fortunate enough to experience these qualities further when I subsequently joined EBRD, Michaela working on projects for which I was the OL.  Her dedication to the communities impacted by the Bank’s projects was absolute and those communities have lost a champion.  I am saddened by her loss and my thoughts go out to her family and friends who will feel this loss all the more greatly….

Condolences to the family for the loss of such a remarkable person as Michaela. I remember Michaela’s passion, energy and elegance. We met on several occasions related to the WiB programme in Serbia and once we were both speakers on a Conference in Istanbul. Her speach impressed the audience, while I realised how important is to share strong believe in what you do and stand for in a large organisation like ours and I tried to follow that steps. Thank you for all and rest in peace….

I first met Michaela working on the Nenskra hydro project. I really appreciated her energy, passion and experience and she made a lasting impression on me. Truly one of the many wonderful people I met working in safeguards and a big loss. You know when someone works from the heart….

I met Michaela on her trips to Armenia when I just joined the Bank as the Women in Business Programme Coordinator. I loved her from first sight: her energy, drive and passion for whatever she was doing was incredible. She had the remarkable ability to inspire everyone around her! She will be highly missed…….

I was saddened to hear of the news about Michaela’s passing.  I had such fond and fun memories of our business travels together at the EBRD.  One of my fondest memories was Michaela chipping away at our salt crust dinner at a sea food restaurant in Istanbul.  The photo for me shows the true character of Michaela, always willing to take on any challenge, no matter what the size of the task.   My deepest condolences to Michaela’s family….