I was the second social specialist hired by EBRD in 2008 after she had been the first one a few years before, and as such was honoured to work very closely with Michaela, interacting every day with her, exchanging advice and having coffee and a cigarette every morning downstairs in the square. So many 10 minute conversations, every day something new to talk about, whether politics, poverty, gender, China, Belgrade, the bloody Bank, human rights law, Jewishness, Bangladesh, whatever… Michaela would always fight fearlessly, albeit with grace and humour, for what she thought was right, and at the same time was such a kind person, with exceptional sensitivity and culture, and such a range of interests. Before she fought for gender, she had fought for indigenous groups that she knew so well, and was the main driving force to the inclusion of FPIC and other pieces of international law into EBRD policy. I am deeply indebted to her both professionally and personally, and cherish the books she recommended or gave me. I learned such a lot from her, and not only on gender or indigenous peoples. The bad news did not come as a surprise, unfortunately, but I am shocked and so sad that I will not hear her laugh and speak like only she could.