Melissa A. Ehlers charts the strategic course that transforms ChildSafe.dev's revolutionary child protection technology into a global movement. As Chief Executive Officer of The Proudfoot Group—the strategic business partner driving ChildSafe.dev and RoseShield Technology's market presence—she orchestrates the vision, partnerships, and market strategies that bring on device AI child safety to platforms serving millions of young users worldwide.
Combining veteran military service as a Marine Corps Judge Advocate with sophisticated business acumen developed across three decades of leadership, Melissa builds the high-trust relationships and strategic frameworks essential for introducing ethical AI into sensitive environments. She excels at translating complex technology into compelling value propositions for government decision makers, commercial enterprises, and social platforms—ensuring ChildSafe.dev's mission of protecting children resonates with the organizations that can make the greatest impact.
Visionary market positioning & growth strategyMission driven business development & value creationExecutive leadership in emerging technology sectorsCross sector collaboration & ecosystem buildingHigh stakes partnership cultivation & stakeholder alignmentFederal contracting & government relations expertiseStrategic communication & organizational influenceEthical technology commercialization & responsible innovationMelissa defines and executes the go-to-market strategies that position ChildSafe.dev as the premier child safety solution for organizations serious about protecting young users—from gaming companies to educational platforms to government services.
Identifies and cultivates the markets where ChildSafe.dev can create maximum impact. Develops tailored value propositions for diverse sectors—defense applications protecting military families, commercial platforms seeking ethical AI solutions, and government agencies fulfilling their duty of care to young citizens. Transforms early adopters into advocates who champion child safety across their industries.
Forges the strategic alliances that accelerate ChildSafe.dev's reach and influence. Builds bridges between technology innovators and institutional decision makers, creating partnerships grounded in shared values and mutual trust. Excels at navigating complex organizational cultures—whether military hierarchies, corporate bureaucracies, or government agencies—to secure commitments that protect children at scale.
Ensures every business decision serves ChildSafe.dev's core mission: protecting children online without compromising their privacy or freedom. Balances commercial growth with ethical responsibility, proving that doing the right thing and building a sustainable business are not mutually exclusive—they're inseparable when the mission matters.
Earned her commission as a Marine Corps officer and served as a Judge Advocate, providing legal counsel on military operations, national security matters, and complex regulatory challenges. This experience instilled the leadership discipline, ethical rigor, and strategic thinking that now guides The Proudfoot Group's approach to introducing ChildSafe.dev into mission-critical environments.
Pioneered readiness initiatives for NIST 800-171 cybersecurity requirements and Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) mitigation—critical credentials for organizations operating in defense and federal spaces. This expertise positions The Proudfoot Group to navigate the stringent security requirements that govern technology deployment in sensitive environments, opening doors for ChildSafe.dev in markets where trust is paramount.
Graduated from the Naval Justice School and completed advanced studies at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center & School, including specialized training in the Law of War and international operations. This foundation in complex legal frameworks and ethical decision making informs every strategic choice—ensuring ChildSafe.dev expands globally while respecting diverse legal traditions and cultural contexts.
Widener University School of Law
International Legal Studies: Completed an ABA-approved semester abroad in London, gaining firsthand experience with international legal systems and cross border regulatory frameworks—essential knowledge for navigating ChildSafe.dev's global expansion across diverse legal jurisdictions.West Virginia University
Dual Expertise: Combined rigorous financial training with international relations coursework, creating a unique foundation for understanding global markets and cross border business dynamics. Varsity Athlete: Competed in Track & Cross Country, developing the discipline, resilience, and competitive drive that characterize her leadership approach.Naval Justice School & Judge Advocate General's Legal Center
Intensive training in military justice, operational law, and the Law of War—preparing leaders to make ethical decisions under pressure and navigate complex legal military environments.Believes that the most successful organizations are built on unwavering principles, not shifting priorities. Every partnership, every strategy, every decision must serve ChildSafe.dev's mission—protecting children. Success is measured not just in revenue or market share, but in lives protected and families empowered.
Cuts through noise to identify what truly matters. In an industry cluttered with buzzwords and hype, Melissa focuses on delivering tangible outcomes—technology that works, partnerships that endure, solutions that scale. Her strategic vision transforms abstract possibilities into concrete action plans that teams can execute with confidence.
Understands that ChildSafe.dev's technology can only fulfill its promise if it reaches the platforms where children spend their time—games, social media, educational apps, creative spaces. This requires not just great technology, but great leadership: the ability to inspire organizations to choose ethical AI, to champion child safety even when it's challenging, and to recognize that protecting children is everyone's responsibility.
Melissa solves the critical challenge that determines whether breakthrough technology changes the world or remains a promising prototype: market adoption. ChildSafe.dev has created a revolutionary approach to child protection—on device AI that detects threats in real-time without compromising privacy—but innovation alone doesn't protect children. Success requires convincing gaming platforms, social networks, educational apps, and government systems to integrate ChildSafe.dev into their products.
Her strategic leadership ensures that ChildSafe.dev's technology reaches the platforms serving millions of children worldwide. By building trusted relationships with decision-makers, crafting compelling narratives around ethical AI, and demonstrating proven value, Melissa accelerates the adoption of child safety solutions across industries. The Proudfoot Group, under her direction, serves as the bridge between ChildSafe.dev's technological excellence and the global impact that defines true success—every child protected, every platform safer, every family empowered.
Privacy first child protection technology. Keeping children safe online without compromising privacy.
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