IPA: /prəˈpoʊnənt/
KK: /prəˈpoʊnənt/
A person who supports or argues for a particular idea, plan, or cause.
She is a strong proponent of environmental protection.
Proponent is formed from "pro-" (meaning for or in favor of) and "ponere" (meaning to place or put). The word refers to someone who places or puts forward a proposal or argument in favor of something.
Think of someone who is 'for' ('pro-') an idea and 'puts it forward' ('ponere') — that's why a proponent is someone who supports a proposal.