From Kevin: Maria was part of the Autoneum family. She was one of the very early coaches of ILP (International Learning Program) and then took over full leadership of this training program (and later also for HPL – High Performance Leadership). We know that she loved Autoneum, our global teams and spirit, and we loved her. She was an extraordinary person; I am deeply moved by losing her. We as a company and I personally profited enormously from her enthusiasm, creativity, ideas and long-term engagement. HPL and ILP will continue to be part of the leadership curriculum at Autoneum, and will be continued & further developed with her spirit in mind. We send our deepest condolences.
Many of our global colleagues had remained in contact with Maria during the last years. Some of them wanted to express their feelings and condolences as well:
UK: I am shocked since I recently received training from her and after that training we stayed in contact over the phone and even via Whatsapp. If possible, I would appreciate it if the family would know that Maria will always be in my mind. Besides being my coach, for me, she was a confidence person. I could discuss anything with her, personal or professional. She always had time and always listened. She left a strong impact on me and will be a part of my way of working as it is today.
Switzerland: I am deeply saddened to hear this news, I have fond memories of the time I spent as both participant and coach on the ILP program. Maria was at the heart of the program and her enthusiasm and knowledge were responsible in no small part for the success of the program. I will remember the very personal interest Maria took in each of the participants and he ability to remain positive, energetic and enthusiastic at all times. I remain very much impressed with the way in which Maria interacted not only over the duration of the course but also in the years afterwards with me and all the ILP participants, it is very sad that there will be no more unexpected reunions in the canteen and no more little pearls of wisdom to be passed on in the future. Please pass on my heartfelt condolences to her family.
Italy: This is sad news. I got in touch with Maria very shortly, during the first week of my HPL and for me it was a very enriching experience. A person who knew, in all situations, how to go to the heart of things, and you noticed that because she was always able to ask the right questions. Thanks for conveying also my condolences to her family.
Switzerland: This is a very sad news indeed. It is not a common thing to develop such a trust and appreciation with a person external to our company. She has really been the exception. She has taught me things on myself and on the way I can improve in my profession and I will always remember her. Please pass my condolence message to her family.
France: It’s a really sad news. Let me send the condolences in the name of all ILP 2008 members. Maria was really engaged and the soul of the ILP. For sure she will rest in peace.
South Africa: Very sad news indeed. Please pass my condolences to Maria’s family. I met her the first time in 2001, at the ILP, and remained in contact over the years. Always a pleasure meeting Maria, full of quiet energy, knowledgeable, caring. Like many, I count myself blessed to have met (and learnt from) her. Maria, you will be sorely missed. RIP.
UK: I am truly sorry to hear this terrible news. Maria was a fantastic person, full of energy and somebody who clearly loved connecting with people. I will always look on my ILP experience with Maria as one of the highlights of my career at Autoneum. Maria’s enthusiasm, insight and passion was felt by the whole of our group and made the experience one that everybody will always remember.
China: What a sad news! Although I was not coached by her directly, but on my first day at HPL, I was stuck by one thought, and she asked one powerful question, and let me have a long thinking. Just by that, I was deeply impressed about her. It is really a big surprise for me to hear that she passed away, because I always saw full energy in her. Wish her all the best in heaven!
Switzerland: I’m truly shocked by the news. I really appreciated Maria for her professionalism and more importantly for her human qualities, this is a very sad day.
Switzerland: It is very sad to hear the news about Maria. I very much enjoyed working with Maria. She could really help everyone to develop by her supportive and positive way of working with people. Please extend my condolences to her family.
France: Very sad news indeed. I had some mail exchange beginning of this year for new year greetings, she told me that she felt better than last autumn, but finally it came. Maria has been a meaningful encounter to me within last year, I enjoyed a lot her positive mindset and her capacity to make you think differently. Can you offer from me my most sincere condolences to her family.
USA: I am so, so, sorry to hear of this loss! From the moment I met Maria, I was forever changed as a person! She had a natural ability to make the most difficult things seem easy, to challenge you as an individual and to brighten up a room from the second she walked in the door! She challenged me to look within myself, to have the courage to take the path less traveled and helped me to grow as a person, a colleague and a friend! She knew just the right time to send a cheerful note to the team, and always reminded us that we were not forgotten, and that she was thinking about us! I even shared some personal concerns with Maria, and she took the time, months after the discussion, to send a note to ask about what we had discussed and to make sure everything was going okay! She will be missed, not only by me, but I am sure by all the lives that she has touched. I know that I am a better person today because of her! I will miss her deeply, I will cherish all the time that I had with her, and I will try my best to make sure that I continue to be the person she saw in me!! I offer my heartfelt and sincere condolences to her family, and offer my thoughts and prayers to them. I pray that they have the strength to get through this difficult time, and for the hope that the legacy of the amazing person Maria was lives within all of us!
China: I am so sad to hear it. I met Maria in 1997 in the first ILP and have received a lot of support from her since then. I still remember many scenes when we were together. Please pass my condolence to her colleagues and family. We will remember Maria in our heart.
China: Maria is not only a coach, but a close friend, who encourage and light up my life. What she showed to me, is the balance of work and life, the passion for career, the enthusiasm for fighting forward, the courage towards anything, the importance of family, meanwhile elegantly enjoy the beauty of life.I feel so incomplete to lose her, her husband and two daughters should suffer more. She will be there in my life, with her smile.
Poland: I don’t know the word which can describe what I feel now, but I am sure that a part of her will stay forever with me. She had ability to changed people for the better. “Let us love people now they leave us so fast, the shoes remain empty and the phone rings on, what’s unimportant drags on like a cow, the meaningful sudden takes us by surprise, the silence that follows so normal it’s hideous, like chastity born most simply from despair, when we think of someone who’s been taken from us…” (Father Jan Twardowski)
China: I feel so sorry about Ms. Maria Jicheva, whom I really respect from your description on her. I wish her got peace in Heaven. I wish her family brave and become strong, to face the future.
Switzerland: with Maria we lose a brilliant, caring and smart professional, a truly wonderful person. My heartfelt condolences go to the family.
Switzerland: I was very sad to hear this news. I didn’t know that she was ill, and saw her in the canteen only a few weeks ago, when she appeared to be her normal self. Doing the ILP program with her 10 years ago (!) was really a great experience. Especially I appreciated her input and ideas, as she was a very open-minded and thoughtful person. Since then I only saw her and said hello from time to time when she came over to the company to train other people. I was shocked to hear that she is gone so long before her time. My condolences to her family and loved ones.
Switzerland: Dear Maria, I will miss your smiles, your constant positive attitude and the sense of calm that you could communicate in all situations. I have learnt a lot during the ILP training and among all coaches you clearly stood out as the most special one! I also remember when we met together with my wife in London and had a walk and lunch in a surprisingly beautiful and warm day. I even think it was mentioned later in the news that it was the hottest day recorded in London for many years 🙂 We both had a very international life experience and that, I think was the common denominator that made us connect in such a short time. I hope that where you are now, you will be blessed with more sunshine and more positive surprises than ever.