My name is Keri Potts, the President and Founder of A Fight Back Woman, Inc. I am an award-winning communications professional with 25 years of experience working for multinational companies within sports and entertainment, women’s economic policy, and the non-profit sector. I attended Syracuse University on a full academic and athletic scholarship (volleyball) and earned my B.S. (journalism) and M.S. (public relations) from the Newhouse School of Public Communications.
I’ve been at the forefront of advocacy for Americans sexually assaulted or abused overseas and have used a national platform and a TEDX Talk, this site, public speaking, and work with Congress and key organizations in and around supporting victims to amplify their needs and garner attention and much-needed donations.
My background
In November 2008, I survived an assault and attempted rape by an Italian citizen in Rome, Italy. My story was published in the December 2010 issue of Marie Claire, followed by an interview with USA Today. Both articles outlined my assault and how I pressed charges internationally (my attacker pled guilty) and am one of the only American women to do so. It was a tough two years of my life trying to understand the Italian justice system and criminal court. It is the hardest I have ever fought for myself, and in some ways, continue to fight. I vowed to ‘be the change’.
I launched afightbackwoman.com in November 2010 to chronicle my assault, the criminal case, and my recovery, to remove the fear of overseas prosecution of sexual assault. In October 2012, I became a state certified rape crisis counselor/victims advocate for the State of Connecticut and then, the State of Georgia, and a speaker for the Rape, Assault, Incest National Network (RAINN) Speakers Bureau.
I have spoken around the country on a variety of topics in and around sexual violence, healthy relationships and female empowerment, relying on my professional skill and my personal passion to educate others, change perceptions in a positive way and engender understanding. Better yet, I have participated in peaceful protests and activations here and in the U.S. to advocate for the rights of women and girls to have freedom over their reproductive health and more.
Additional roles and certifications:
- On April 17, 2024, I participated in RAINN’s Day of Action on the Hill advocating for a variety of legislation aimed at protecting children, providing crucial victim services and protections, ending the rape kit backlog, and mitigating digital and tech harms.
- On April 16, 2024, I met with The White House Gender Policy Council to inform them and advocate for awareness and inclusion for Americans sexually assaulted or abused overseas
- October 2020-2023 – I was a Board member for the Network for Victim Recovery of D.C. (NVRDC)
- In November 2019, I spoke as a guest of the UNFPA and Special Olympics at ICPD 25 in Nairobi, Kenya, to push for gender equality by 2030.
- In October of 2017, I joined the board of Pathways to Safety International – the only US-based organization to provide comprehensive services to Americans sexually assaulted or abused abroad. In April 2019, I was named President of the Pathways Board and remain President.
- March 2017-2020, I served Gwinnett Sexual Assault Center as a volunteer victims advocate and took on approximately 40 hours per month.
- In October of 2014, I became a volunteer rape crisis counselor in Atlanta serving at Grady Memorial Hospital through February 2017.
- In April 2013, I was an invited member of the NCAA Violence Prevention Think Tank in Washington, D.C. Along with a college administrators, advocates and legal experts, we sought to determine a course of action for the NCAA to address sexual and interpersonal violence.
I hope this gives you a better sense for who I am, what I believe in, and what I will fight for. Let’s get connected and work on solutions together.
A Fight Back Woman 
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