Our Board

Susan Prout is the Co-Founder of I Have The Right To and the mother of Chessy Prout, author of I Have The Right To: A High School Survivor’s Story of Sexual Assault, Justice, and Hope. Since the moment Chessy bravely disclosed her assault at 15 years old, Susan has been an unwavering advocate for survivors and a fierce champion for change.

Determined to create a future where no survivor has to endure what her daughter and family faced in the aftermath of Chessy’s assault at St. Paul’s School, Susan has dedicated herself to raising awareness, holding institutions accountable, and equipping students with the tools to foster safe, respectful communities. She travels nationwide, speaking with students, parents, and educators to amplify survivor voices and inspire action.

A thought leader in the fight against sexual violence, Susan works tirelessly to develop survivor-centered educational programs that empower young people to advocate for themselves and stand up for others. She collaborates with survivors, experts, and legal advocates to push for systemic change—including a justice system that treats sexual assault victims with dignity, understands the neurobiology of trauma, and upholds their rights as crime victims.

Through her work, Susan continues to turn pain into purpose, relentlessly pursuing a world where every student can learn, grow, and thrive—free from the fear of sexual violence.

Kelli Polon is the Chief Financial Officer at The National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE). As CFO, Kelli oversees NCEE’s treasury and accounting operations. She reports to the Board of Trustees and senior management on all aspects of the financial health of the organization. Prior to joining NCEE, Kelli worked as Senior Director of Finance at Defenders of Wildlife, a Washington, DC based conservation organization. She began her career in the audit and assurance practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she focused on higher education and nonprofit audits. Kelli earned a Master of Science in Accountancy from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the College of Charleston.      

Sophie is Associate Producer for Anderson Cooper 360°. Passionate about connecting people through the power of storytelling, Sophie is a 2x Emmy Award-nominated journalist for CNN based in New York.

She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fordham University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communication Studies. Sophie also serves as the Communications Chair of the American Cancer Society’s Endurance Series.

 Rebecca Grunwald is the owner of and principal architect at RRG Architecture PLLC. She resides in New York City with her husband, Peter, and daughter, Caroline, who was one of IHTRT’s first interns. Rebecca received an AB from Princeton University and a Masters in Architecture from the University of Virginia. Serving as Board Chair of Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts for ten years and as Board President of the Nightingale Bamford School in New York, New York for nine years, her volunteer work over the past two decades has focused on the education of young women. Rebecca currently serves as Vice President of the board of The Princeton Tigerlilies. First introduced to IHTRT by her daughter, Rebecca finds the mission of IHTRT an inspiration and understands deeply how the organization’s work can positively affect the trajectory of a young person’s life.

Nancy is an advocate and supporter of survivors of sexual assault. Her active support includes attending trials on behalf of the survivors supported by I Have The Right To. Nancy also serves on the Board of Directors of the Pet Project Foundation (PPF), the volunteer arm of the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter in California.     

Don McPherson is an accomplished author, advocate, and former NFL quarterback who has been a powerful voice in gender-based violence prevention and the promotion of healthy masculinity. As a facilitator and keynote speaker for I Have The Right To, Don has shared his insights on aspirational masculinity, mentoring individuals like co-founder Alex Prout. Since retiring from professional football, Don has dedicated himself to advocating for cultural change, challenging harmful stereotypes, and fostering dialogue that prioritizes empathy and respect. He is the author of You Throw Like a Girl: The Blindspot in Masculinity, which explores the complexities and misconceptions of masculinity and its societal impact. 

Leslie Morgan Steiner is an acclaimed author, consultant, and thought leader specializing in women’s leadership, work-life balance, inspirational parenting, overcoming adversity, and violence against women. Her TED Talk, “Why Domestic Violence Victims Don’t Leave,” has garnered over eight million views, offering a powerful recount of her personal experiences and addressing common misconceptions about domestic violence while highlighting how to support survivors. Leslie, based in Washington, DC, recently completed her fourth nonfiction book, The Naked Truth. With a career that includes prominent roles at The Washington Post, Johnson & Johnson, Leo Burnett, and Seventeen Magazine, Leslie brings a wealth of advocacy experience and professional expertise that enhances I Have The Right To’s commitment to centering survivor experiences at the heart of our mission.

As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Steve talks openly and frankly about the life-long impact of the aftermath of what was done to him so that others don’t struggle in isolation. After not telling anyone for a decade and another two decades of public secrecy, Steve knows firsthand the destructive nature of the shame and blame that are so commonly experienced by childhood sexual assault survivors. With the help of his family, close friends, a significant investment in mental health therapy and a chance encounter with the founders of I Have The Right To, Steve has discovered a healthier, loving path forward – one that passes that shame and blame from the abused to the abusers, where it rightly belongs.  Steve has worked in the financial services industry in the Boston area for the past 30 years and is currently the Head of Workplace Provider and Product Strategy at Edelman Financial Engines, America’s largest independent investment advisor.

Mary Ellen is fiercely committed to protecting victims of sexual violence, promoting their recovery and well-being, and advancing programs that are aimed at stopping future assaults through early and effective education and accountability.  She previously worked as a family law paralegal and has lived around the world in diverse cultures where she raised her three daughters as the trailing spouse of an expat.