Michaela Kauer, born in 1966 in Vienna, has a long work experience within the City of Vienna, where she has occupied different posts. Starting in 1992 in the Executive Policy Group on Housing and Urban Renewal, she held positions at the Policy Group for Women´s Rights, Integration and Consumer Protection for more than ten years. After five years as Head of Cabinet of the City Councillor for Health and Social Affairs, she was assigned as Director of the Brussels Liaison Office of Vienna in 2009. The liaison office plays a leading role in the city´s EU affairs with a strong focus on public services, long-term public investments, urban policy and gender equality, amongst others. In addition, Michaela Kauer represents Vienna in the Executive Committee of EUROCITIES and works closely with the European Committee of the Regions. Moreover, she is the joint representative of the Austrian federal states for the EU Urban Agenda and served as coordinator of the EU Urban Partnership on Affordable Housing from 2015-2021.

Michaela Kauer harbours a longstanding passion for social and affordable housing, having served as member of the jury of the European Responsible Housing Awards. She earned an MBA in International Public Management at the University of Salzburg and regularly publishes on urban, housing and gender policy. Academically committed, Michaela Kauer has shared her experience in European Public Policy by teaching at the University of Vienna, the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland, the University of Rotterdam and the University of Lille.