Board of Directors
Katie Mcmeen - Chair
ktmc.briefencounters@gmail.com
Katie first attended Brief Encounters meetings in 2015 after her daughter Brynn was born still at 38 weeks. She has been volunteering with the board since 2022.
When not doing work for the board, Katie is often knitting, watching movies, or walking her doggie, Snowflake.
sandy faber - Co-Chair / facilitator
Sandy Faber is a mother to three children, two living. Since the death of her daughter Aisley Cecilia Faber, she has found Brief Encounters to be a valuable resource of hope and support. She began serving on the board as the treasurer in 2017. Sandy is a lawyer and sole owner and operator of Faber Family Law, LLC, a law firm that serves families going through divorce or separation.
Megan Wright - DATABASE MANAGER / facilitator
database@briefencounters.org
Following on early miscarriage and two second-term losses in 2004, Megan attended her first Brief Encounters meeting. It was here where she found a haven to grieve her babies and process the losses. A year later - in the interest of giving back, she began managing the database and helping to facilitate meetings. She lives in Portland with her husband, two dogs and one cat. They have two grown daughters.
Sara Andersen - Communications Chair
Sara first attended a Brief Encounters support group following a second trimester loss in 2019. The following year her daughter Lena was born at 26 weeks and died after an 8-week stay in the NICU. Brief Encounters support groups have allowed her a place to grieve without judgement.
Sara is also the mother of two living children and a menagerie of pets; 2 dogs, 2 cats, a box turtle and backyard chickens.
Julie decourcey-bell - treasurer
Julie is the mom of Zoey Lavigne Bell, stillborn at 39 weeks in the spring of 2023. Julie first sought out Brief Encounters on behalf of her husband, Mickey, after realizing there is little space in this world for men to openly grieve. She has since found the group to be integral to her own journey with grief. She joined the Board as Treasurer in 2023 to share her professional experience as a CPA and as a tribute to Zoey, so loved and forever in our hearts.
Courtney Clark - website manager/Member At Large
info@briefencounters.com
Courtney’s son Hendrik was stillborn at 39 weeks in April of 2022 and then experienced another loss when her next pregnancy ended in a surgical abortion at 8 weeks in 2023. She soon became a regular attendee at the infant loss support group. She wants this organization to always be available to those who need support and love after experiencing the loss of a child. Courtney and her husband Jeff work to keep Hendrik’s memory alive and are proud fur parents to a rambunctious kitten named Dip and the sweetest dog named Phoebe.
Crystal Holloway - Secretary
info@briefencounters.com
I found my way to Brief Encounters shortly after the loss of our son Ezra in March 2021. Ezra was a beautiful healthy baby, born at 7 lbs 14 oz. One day before our scheduled induction, there was a true knot in Ezra’s umbilical cord that got pulled tight and cut off his oxygen supply and he passed away. He was stillborn on 3/16/21 at 40 weeks 4 days gestation. He changed our lives forever and we miss him deeply. We have also had several early losses, that were difficult to navigate emotionally, including 3 miscarriages and 2 chemical pregnancies.
Our journey has been very long and very hard. Brief Encounters provided me with meaningful connections in the darkest, loneliest days of my life. BE also gave me a safe space to mourn and honor our losses in an authentic way. It is an honor to now serve on the board of Brief Encounters. I want to help the organization in whatever way possible and support families in their grief journeys. It is also my intention to help raise awareness of pregnancy and infant loss in order to reduce the isolation that comes with these incredibly complicated losses.
Sarah Gregg - Newsletter Editor
info@briefencounters.com
Sarah began attending Brief Encounters in March 2024 after the sudden and unexpected loss of her daughter, Cassidy, just three weeks before her expected arrival. The mission of Brief Encounters—to break the sense of isolation often felt in the wake of such profound loss—resonates deeply with Sarah. The early days of grief can be overwhelmingly dark and lonely, and the Brief Encounters community is an invaluable source of support, solace, and connection during this unimaginable journey. Sarah is honored to be a part of the newsletter editor team that is dedicated to sharing stories, resources, and insights as a way to continue honoring our children and supporting one another through our journeys.
Sarah is also the mother of one living daughter and a Great Dane, and in her free time, she can often be found riding horses.
Kiana Panick - Newsletter Editor
newsletter@briefencounters.com
Brief encounters holds a special place in my heart as one of the first spaces I felt like those around me really could relate after my first born son, Carson, died unexpectedly an hour after birth in 2021. Some of my dearest friends have come from this group and I am truly honored to help write the newsletter each month.
My husband and I have since brought home a daughter, who we enjoy experiencing life with. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, going on walks, and connecting with those who are going through hard times.
Renee Loeb - Newsletter Editor
newsletter@briefencounters.com
Renee found Brief Encounters in 2015 after her miscarriage of her baby Avery. She and her husband attended the support groups and instantly felt seen, heard, and not alone in their grief. She began volunteering for the newsletter recently and values being a part of this team of wonderful members who continue to support others and each other!
When not editing the newsletter, Renee enjoys spending time with her two sons, hiking in the beautiful Sisters Wilderness, and spending time with family.
Hanna Neuschwander- facilitator, Ending a wanted pregnancy
Hanna has facilitated the EAWP group since 2020; she began attending the group in 2016 when her daughter River was diagnosed at 21 weeks with severe brain anomalies. Hanna and her husband John made the impossible choice to end River's life (Hanna published an essay about the experience in Longreads, available here). Hanna and John attended their first Brief Encounters meeting while still pregnant with River, knowing that she would soon be gone. She was born and died via induced labor and delivery in September 2016. They found great comfort and support through the loneliest parts of their grief in being able to talk with other families who had been through the same nightmare. Ending a wanted pregnancy for medical reasons is a particularly difficult and lonely decision; Hanna is honored to meet monthly with families who are walking through the complex grief that this experience creates.
pam morison - facilitator, Ending a wanted pregnancy
Pam began facilitating the EAWP group in 2022; she began attending the group in 2020, shortly after termination of her daughter Johanna at 20 weeks, due to multiple cerebral hemorrhages. Pam and her husband, Andrew, made the most compassionate decision possible to end Johanna's life during the early weeks of the Covid pandemic. Johanna was born, deceased on April 2, 2020 via induced labor and delivery. They began attending Brief Encounters meeting just a few weeks after Johanna's death. The group has provided them great comfort and support as they have grieved, especially with the increased loneliness of the pandemic and challenges of the post Dobbs world for termination families. Ending a wanted pregnancy for medical reasons is a particularly difficult and lonely decision; Pam is honored to meet monthly with families who are walking through the complex grief that this experience creates