advocate.
/ˈædvəkət/ noun
Someone who publicly speaks up for a person, group or cause, and keeps doing it.
It’s all in the nuance.
A supporter agrees with you; an advocate argues for you — out loud, to the people who could say no.
supporteragrees and cheers; may never say a word for you
championfights for something with visible passion; grander
proponentargues for an idea or policy; cooler and more academic
Hear it in context.
At work
“Marcus has been the strongest advocate for the accessibility work since day one.”
In a story
“My grandmother was my first advocate — she told the headmaster I'd be fine, and then made sure I was.”
Take it into your day.
Name one colleague or friend as your advocate — then tell them you're theirs, in those words.