OUR TEAM

MEET THE INCO LEADERSHIP TEAM

TRACY ABEL, INCO co-leader, Cannon Beach

Martin Luther King once said, "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." With those words repeating over in her mind, Tracy Abel could not sit silent and watch the Trump agenda destroy our country. After participating in the Women’s March, she joined Indivisible North Coast Oregon.
She originally got involved in politics when she canvassed for John Kerry in 2004 and volunteered for the 2008 Obama campaign. As Barack Obama once said, "I'm asking you to believe not in my ability to bring about real change in Washington. I'm asking you to believe in yours." Almost 9 years later she still believes that each and every one of us can make a difference if we continue to use our voices to speak out and demand to be heard.


“We need tools to defend our democracy. Liberty is the one important thing worth fighting for and we are armed with the Indivisible Guide, our imaginative leadership, and our persistence," says INCO-WA coordinator Gwen Brake. Gwen considers herself an Amazon woman. Her group has a Facebook page for Amazon Women -- a simple coordination hub for those with a fire in the belly. She started her activism by writing letters-to-the-editor.  Over time, she learned that action is the hardest thing to do. Showing up is where the rubber meets the road -- the part that counts. Being coordinator of INCO-WA is a challenging and rewarding role.  Her group’s motto is: "Indivisible with liberty and justice for all."  That line from the Pledge of Allegiance empowers their activism in southwest Washington.

Astoria co-leader Steve Bronstein
Not one to sit quietly on the sidelines, Astoria co-leader Steve Bronstein often finds himself involved in local community issues, approaching local, state, national and global issues with a pragmatic and inclusive attitude.  "The formation and rapid growth of INCO is a great way to find your voice and bring transparency to topics that affect all of us," he says. "Most importantly today, we need to protect our healthcare rights and keep our elected officials informed of the needs of the citizenry."  After 25 years of living in Silicon Valley and working in various legal and venture capital firms, Steve decided to escape the big city and moved to Astoria.  From his first day in the area, he has felt welcomed and with purpose. He intends to carry this feeling forward and help make our community welcoming to ALL.

LAURIE CAPLAN, INCO Co-leader, Astoria
The belief that good people must be involved in politics inspired INCO co-founder Laurie Caplan to help coordinate the Astoria Women’s March and the defeat of the two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and pipelines proposed for Clatsop County. She believes democracy’s strength depends on everyone being vigilant, taking a stand, and working for a more sustainable and fair world. An Astoria resident since 1996, she loves that our communities are small enough that every voice matters and that everyone can participate in civic affairs. Thinking about the futures of her children and grandchildren propels her to keep on keeping on. Favorite quotes: “When nothing is sure, anything is possible.” — Margaret Drabble
"Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say, 'This is my community, and it’s my responsibility to make it better.'”  --  Governor Tom McCall

Meridee Faber (center), co-leader INCO Warrenton
After the 2016 election, Warrenton co-leader Meridee Faber decided she needed to do more than vote, donate money and complain, so she joined Indivisible, where seemingly small things can morph into bigger ones. She has 2 adult children, 2 adorable grandchildren (of course!).  She and her husband have lived here for over 33 years. Meridee likes this quote:  "Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted." -- Aldous Huxley



Seaside co-leader Kay Foetisch-Robb
Born in Montana, Seaside co-leader Kay Foetisch-Robb grew up in a family with 2 sets of twins. Both of her parents were active in their community. She is married with 4 adult children and one growing grandchild. During her adult years, Kay worked for 30 years in community volunteering, first as a community activist and then for the next 22 years as a community organizer for local government, organizing neighborhood associations and developing materials to grow and create active and educated community members. After retirement, Kay has found a passion for involvement in her retirement community, first serving on the Seaside Historical Board, then the Clatsop County Planning Commission and most recently as a member of INCO. Her commitment to this world would be to leave a country which is environmentally aware and citizens who see their role as being involved in their government, both locally and nationally, and working together for the good of all. Favorite quote:  “The world is lost for want of sweetness and kindness. Do not forget that we need one another.”   -- Mother Teresa

He was elected; they were devastated.  Bebe Michel and Eric Halperin realized that voting in elections is just not enough.  Our democracy is at great risk and requires that we stand up and be active citizens.  After they marched with thousands of others at the Women’s March in Portland and millions of others all over the world, they wanted to channel that energy into The Resistance.  They were active in Indivisible Greater Tillamook before moving to Gearhart.  After living in Netarts and working together at their optometric practice in Tillamook for 28 years, Bebe and Eric are now retired and are looking forward to making a difference at INCO.  They are continuing to work on voting rights, immigrant rights, climate change/environment and healthcare for all.

Favorite quote as seen in a classroom at Tillamook Junior High School:  “Start where you are.  Use what you have.  Do what you can.”
JOAN HERMAN, Astoria Events
Astoria Events PR leader Joan Herman became active with Indivisible because she was distressed after the presidential election about the future of our democracy. She is especially concerned with the increase in hate crimes and xenophobia, with plans to build a wall and closing our door to immigrants most in need of sanctuary. She is a native Oregonian who recently returned to Astoria after retiring from teaching English at the community-college level. She is a volunteer programmer at KMUN, where she has a public affairs show as well as a short-fiction show.  Favorite quotes: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” -- Margaret Mead. “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” --Gandhi

KATHLEEN MACDONALD, co-leader, Seaside
A consistent voter who hasn’t embraced political activism previously, Seaside co-leader Kathleen Macdonald knew she had to speak out after the November 2016 election. Then came the Women’s March and Indivisible - they provided the opportunity she was looking for. She is an adamant supporter of a woman’s right to choose and health care, responsible gun laws, and social justice issues. She is a retired grief therapist living in Seaside where she loves to watch the ocean and listen to the waves.  Favorite quotes: “They say one man cannot change the world but maybe we all can!” and  “Be the reason someone smiles today.”

Astoria co-leader Tiffiny Mitchell is active in INCO because she sincerely believes that our country has been tricked into electing officials who do not have the best interests of United States citizens at heart.  In spite of the daunting task of fighting back against such forces, Tiffiny hopes that doing something is essential.  It is her hope that even small efforts will collectively contribute into taking the country back. She is particularly interested in progressive issues that would make life better and more equitable for all people.  Chief among these are healthcare reform and income equality. Tiffiny sincerely believes that actions to improve the country's outlook are not about what we as people deserve, but what we believe.  She believes in trying to secure a better life for all and is philosophically opposed to those who believe the worth of a person is tied to the size of their checking account or assets.  

MONICA PEARSON, co-leader, Astoria
Astoria co-leader Monica Pearson is part of INCO because it has re-energized her activist heart. She will not sit on the sidelines and watch our rights and freedoms slowly stripped away. She believe in community and in standing up for one another. She moved to Astoria from Denver, Colorado, last fall with her husband and daughter. She has always been involved in social justice, but moving to Astoria has given her a real opportunity to get involved in the local community in a way that you can't in a bigger city.










Deb Vanasse, INCO co-founder

What happens after the Women’s March? That concern prompted Deb Vanasse to join Laurie Caplan in co-founding Indivisible North Coast Oregon. Deb wants our country to re-embrace its commitment to liberty and justice for all. An Alaskan for 36 years, she loves her new home near Sunset Beach, where she’s closer to children and grandchildren. Author of several books, she’s also helping organize a Seed to Supper program in Clatsop County. A favorite quote: “Let us go forth with fear and courage and rage to save the world.” Grace Paley