The Athletes for Action Team

ATHLETES FOR ACTION

Meet the Team

Paula Scanlan

Paula Scanlan

Co-Founder

Paula Scanlan is a Senior Fellow at the American Principles Project and the External Director at Early Vote Action. A former Division I swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, she’s become a leading voice for fairness and privacy in sports.

Since earning her computer science degree from Penn in 2022, Paula has spoken across the country—on campuses, in the media, and even at the White House—about the cultural and political forces shaping today’s world. She’s passionate about encouraging young people to think critically, stand firm in their values, and lead with honesty and courage wherever life takes them.

Megan Burke

Co-Founder

Megan Burke is a passionate advocate for female athletes and a dedicated protector of Title IX. With a B.A. in Journalism from the University of North Carolina, Megan combines her academic background with her extensive athletic experience to amplify the voices of female athletes and champion equitable opportunities in sports. As an accomplished athlete, she is a 15 time Colorado 5A state champion, a two-time NCAA Champion, an American Record Holder, and an All-American and All-ACC performer in Track and Cross Country. Her remarkable achievements on the track serve as a testament to her commitment to excellence and her belief in the power of sports to transform lives.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Megan is a proud stay-at-home mom to two athletic little girls. With her unwavering dedication to advocacy, Megan is committed to promoting female athletes and defending Title IX, working tirelessly to create a level playing field where all women & girls can pursue their passions in sports without barriers.

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Elizabeth Harris

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Liz Harris is a steadfast champion for the rights of female student-athletes, striving to inspire the next generation of leaders both on and off the field. She is the Co-Founder of B Inspired Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to empowering under-resourced youth through cultural and wellness-based after-school programs. With a J.D. from the Temple University Beasley School of Law and an extensive athletic career at Lehigh University, Liz combines her legal knowledge and passion for sports to advocate for the protection of Title IX.

Liz has an extensive background in coaching and private independent school education, having served as a college lacrosse coach at both Harvard and Lehigh, as well as a high school field hockey and lacrosse coach. Her experience as the former Director of Enrollment Management and Athletic Director at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy has equipped her with a deep understanding of the educational landscape. She is a wife and a mother of four children – three of whom are female athletes.

Kim Russell

Co-Founder

Kim – the “Hippie Love Coach” – is a mother of 4, a life long athlete (including NCAA DI Field Hockey & Lacrosse at the College of William & Mary 1985-89), a girls and women’s lacrosse coach for 30 years (youth through international), a performance & flow state coach, and a PE teacher.  She has been inducted into three halls of fame 1 for coaching field hockey & lacrosse & 2 for contributing to the game of lacrosse.

Since being removed from her job as Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Oberlin College in 2023 for speaking up about males competing in women’s sports, Kim has been traveling the country advocating for women in girls in sports and private spaces including testifying before congress and standing behind President Trump when he signed the EO to keep girls and women’s sports female only.  She is passionate about helping everyone to feel better in their bodies & to find joy everyday!

Bridget Michener

Co-Founder

Bridget was born and raised on Long Island, New York.  After graduating from Manhasset High School in 1992, she went on to play Division III lacrosse at Lynchburg College. In 1994 Bridget transferred to Hofstra University, continuing to play lacrosse at the Division I level, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.  After college she played for the U.S. Nationals Team (Central District).

Bridget has 30 years of professional experience as Executive and Personal Assistant to C-level executives and high-profile individuals and families of wealth across a multitude of industries including Finance, Entertainment, Information Technology and Professional Sports; and founded a Lifestyle Services firm that she continues to oversee 13 years later.

She currently resides in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband, also a former Division I lacrosse player, and their three children: a daughter who is a middle school aged multi-sport athlete and two sons who play Division I lacrosse.

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Maddi Ota

Director of Office Administration and Digital Communications

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Inquiries?

Get in touch with Athletes for Action.

Phone:

(215) 300-9827

Email:

info@athletesforaction.com

Interested in creating a A4A chapter at your high school or college? 

Please reach out to Liz Harris at (215) 300-9827.

    At Athletes For Action, our mission is to educate, empower, and advocate for Title IX and the advancement of girls’ and women’s sports while protecting the integrity of these programs. We believe in giving parents and girls a voice, ensuring their concerns are heard and valued as we actively lobby for girls’ rights in sports and push for equitable policies and legislation. By working collaboratively with schools, leagues, and stakeholders, we develop innovative solutions that guarantee fair locker room spaces and athletic opportunities for female athletes. Our commitment is to foster a culture of inclusivity and support, enabling every girl to thrive in a safe and empowering environment, while we strive to break down barriers and create a brighter future for women’s sports by upholding the rights of female athletes at all levels.