My dear friend Rosa Lia is a very special lady. I first met her in the Book Project and we enjoyed many hours chatting over the book packing. It was not long before she was headhunted to go over to the WBFN office to work on Welcoming where she was to be the Chair before too long. She welcomed everyone, got to know them and helped many a newcomer in any way she could. As President she worked hard to make sure the WBFN office was a happy place to be. She encouraged all to come along to help out or just have a cup of tea, relax and talk. Her work with Domestic Abuse helped many unfortunate people, campaigning tirelessly to get them recognition and help - not an easy task. Rosa Lia was very dedicated to the positions she held and I can say she was a great asset to the WBFN. Rosa Lia and I had many a good laugh and not a few disagreements. She was a great friend and a good listener, allowing me to talk, which was a great help to me. Being away from our home countries, we both shared a comfort in sharing our experiences with each other. We will be friends into the future and meet up to gossip in the South of France or the UK. Rosa Lia was a great asset to the WBFN and I know she will be greatly missed. My very best wishes to her and Henri for their future retirement.

Marianne Summers

Book project, Welcoming activities, Spouse Issues, Spouse Orientation Program, WBFN Presidency, Rosa Lia has spent many years of her stay in DC working with tenacity to strengthen our organization and improve its programs. To this day, she remains the champion of information and the welcomer par excellence. She knows how to infuse energy in people and empower them. But above all, she knows how to listen to individuals in difficulties and provide them with suggestions and alternatives. Never shy to voice her opinion, never afraid of controversy, she has been one of the strongest advocates of spouse rights that WBFN has known. And being posted outside DC will not put a stop to this; we know that we will be able to count on her and use her talents to help us when needed but we will dearly miss her faithful and energizing presence among us! Not to mention her Brazilian elegance! Farewell Rosa Lia, I wonder who will be the next legal advisor that will dare mess with you!

Chantale Holzmann

It is very hard to say good-bye to Rosa Lia. From the moment she stepped into our midst, it was clear that Rosa Lia would be a friend and a leader, one filled with compassion for all those in need and with the skills, experience, wisdom and tenacity to ensure results. These qualities were displayed in everything she did, starting from her volunteer work at the Book Project (2001) and her term as Welcoming Chair (2002-2003). A multi-linguist, many are the newcomers who have thanked her for her warmth and practical advice which made them feel at home when trying to navigate the maze of Washington G4 living.

Rosa Lia has stood always very firmly on the side of fairness, lobbying to ensure that the system — whatever the system may be — allows everyone an equal chance. She will be remembered for so many of her accomplishments, but perhaps most especially for her advocacy on behalf of the families, especially those who are most vulnerable. During her term as WBFN President (2004-2005), WBFN signed its second Memorandum of Understanding with the WBG and was honored with an award from the Office of Ethics and Business Conduct for its advocacy role on behalf of Bank families. As past-president, Rosa Lia stayed on to advise her successors on the WBFN Executive Committee and served as WBFN organizer for the Spouse/Partner Orientation Program (2006-2008), Volunteer Coordinator and Nominating Chair (2007-2008); she also remained an active member of the Spouse Issues Committee, and generally helped out wherever help was needed.

Rosa Lia, we wish you all the best in your next endeavors, but we will all greatly miss you, your friendship and your guidance! We all have been dreading the day when we will no longer be able to say, “Let’s ask Rosa Lia!” But then there is Skype, and it is a small world after all...Please stay in touch and do remember that you have many friends and a home here at WBFN and wherever we are around the world!

Louise Shimizu

Rosa Lia, Yes, you are leaving I cannot believe it! Plenty of memories come to mind. We did not see each other so often, but each time we met it was a special moment. Let me recollect a few—The first time we met was at a welcoming coffee, at that time I was looking for someone to be in charge of the welcoming coffee in Maryland, as I was planning to get a job. I thought: “She is just the right lady I am looking for, she appears to have all of the required qualities, she speaks four languages, she seems to enjoy meeting people and over all I was subjugated by her smile and cheerfulness ....Sadly, I was not quick enough, because the Book Project hired her right under my nose!! None the less everyone had the opportunity to learn more about her qualities, as she worked hard as Welcoming chair and President of the WBFN. Another enjoyable moment was when we she hosted the International cooking group. Sipping the best capirinha I ever had, we shared memories of our childhood in Brazil. Thanks, Rosa Lia for all your dedication for the WBFN, friends and your family. I know that our paths will cross again.

Marie Yasmine Auclert

Rosa Lia’s determined advocacy of spouse and family interests, and, at times, fierce protectiveness of their rights within the WBG community have indeed impressed all of us who have had the privilege of serving with her at the World Bank Family Network. Her volunteer commitment and contributions to the WBFN have been innovative, significant and substantial. Her compassion and untiring efforts to aid spouses in need will continue to be remembered by many. Even as we wish Rosa Lia the very, very best going forward, we will miss her warmth, humor and energetic pursuit of solutions.

Lois Khairallah