About MyOwn PAC

MyOwn believes in the right to privacy, autonomy, and agency over one's own body, and fighting back against all forms of gender-based and sexual violence particularly violations of Intimate Privacy, Nonconsensual Pornography (NCP), Nonconsensual Distribution of Intimate Images (NDII), Synthetic NDII ("deepfakes"), and Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA), as well as the weaponization of our bodies and sexuality. These crimes disproportionately target and harm women, particularly women of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and ultimately threaten the promise of an equitable, diverse, and representative democracy.

We are a non-partisan PAC and support candidates from any political party who align with our values and are similarly dedicated to legislative reform pertaining to gender-based and sexual violence, as well as intimate privacy violations. We also provide a range of support and resources to candidates who may find themselves at risk of or are currently being harmed by these abuses. These tactics serve to silence diverse perspectives and by providing support we move towards the creation of a government that truly reflects our society and allows for more equitable and inclusive policymaking.

In addition to direct support, MyOwn is the only PAC in the country that provides candidates with expert screening for online intimate images of them and subsequent DMCA takedown filings if images are found, political crisis comms assistance, as well as legal funding for candidates being threatened with these abuses during their campaigns.

Susanna Gibson is a Nurse Practitioner and advocate who lives outside of Richmond, Virginia. She currently serves on the board of Her Bold Move - a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support women in the countless and unique ways they require as they mount a run for office and work to get women elected to all of the rooms in our government where decisions are being made. Susanna has worked in healthcare for over 15 years, including several years as the Lead Advanced Practice Provider for the VCU Health Division of Geriatrics. During her tenure with the division, she served as the clinical lead for a joint medical home model venture between Medicaid, Virginia Premier Health Insurance and VCU Health, as well as participated in the CMS Demonstration Project Independence at Home. She is a passionate advocate for health equity and justice, and has a unique insight into the intersectionality of health with economic stability, education, environmental justice, gender, discrimination, social support systems, gun violence, and much more, from spending years providing home-based primary care in her community.

Susanna served as the 2023 democratic nominee for the Virginia House District 57 and understands firsthand the distinct challenges female candidates face in the political arena. In 2024 she established "MyOwn" PAC as a direct response to her experience during her political campaign, when she realized she had been the target of nonconsensual pornography while simultaneously being subjected to Nonconsensual Distribution of Intimate Images as well as to severe and prolonged Image-Based Sexual Abuse, both online and in person. Understanding that these types of tactics and crimes disproportionately target and harm women, particularly women of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and serve to silence diverse perspectives, Susanna decided to take her experience and use it to help our country move towards the creation of a government that truly reflects our society and allows for more equitable and inclusive policy making.

Susanna Gibson is a Nurse Practitioner and advocate who lives outside of Richmond, Virginia. She has worked in healthcare for over 15 years, including several years as the Lead Advanced Practice Provider for the VCU Health Division of Geriatrics. During her tenure with the division, she served as the clinical lead for a joint medical home model venture between Medicaid, Virginia Premier Health Insurance and VCU Health, as well as participated in the CMS Demonstration Project Independence at Home. She is a passionate advocate for health equity and justice, and has a unique insight into the intersectionality of health with economic stability, education, environmental justice, gender, discrimination, social support systems, gun violence, and much more, from spending years providing home-based primary care in her community.

Susanna served as the 2023 democratic nominee for the Virginia House District 57 and understands firsthand the distinct challenges female candidates face in the political arena. In 2024 she established "MyOwn" PAC as a direct response to her unfortunate experience during her political campaign, when she realized she had been the target of nonconsensual pornography while simultaneously being subjected to Nonconsensual Distribution of Intimate Images as well as to severe and prolonged Image-Based Sexual Abuse, both online and in person. Understanding that these types of tactics and crimes disproportionately target and harm women, particularly women of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and serve to silence diverse perspectives, Susanna decided to take her experience and use it to help our country move towards the creation of a government that truly reflects our society and allows for more equitable and inclusive policy making.

Gray Montrose is an attorney and Henrico native with a career defined by public service. She worked with the Virginia Office of the Attorney General representing state agencies and taught policy at William & Mary Law School, while also giving back through pro bono service and advocacy. Gray was named a Mental Health Champion for her work on lowering barriers to care for law students and a Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year by the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation. She currently serves as a member of the Virginia State Bar Board of Governors for the Environmental Section.

Mary Beth Gibson has over 20 years of human resources experience in state government and in the private sector. She was co-founder and Executive Director of a non-profit serving young women diagnosed with breast cancer. She was recognized for that work by the YWCA Virginia Peninsula with a Woman of Distinction Award and by the Hampton Roads Business Journal with a Women in Business Achievement Award. She currently is a business advisor to small companies and is also an active volunteer for various organizations in her community. She is married and has three sons, a dog, and a cat.

Brandon Smith is a coach, instructor, and entrepreneur with a background in Operations Management and Talent Development. With 15 years of experience in the technology and publishing industries, he has worked inside iconic global brands including Adobe, Google, and Electronic Arts, leveraging trust-based strategies that enhance team communication, increase organizational transparency, and reduce hidden operating costs. Brandon’s insights have been profiled in several prominent media outlets including San Francisco’s KTVU Fox2, Vice Magazine, and others; and he's a trusted advisor to senior Operations leaders, Program Managers, and Executive Administrators, looking for accelerated personal growth, expanded professional opportunities, and more productive and fulfilling relationships at home and at work.