Meet Nicole
NICOLE SNELL – CEO and International Speaker
Nicole Snell received a full academic scholarship as a President's Scholar to Cal State Long Beach and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Speech Communication. She is the CEO of Girls Fight Back and is a dynamic international speaker, host, workshop facilitator and self-defense instructor. She specializes in sexual assault & violence prevention education, personal safety and empowerment. Nicole is renowned for her high energy presentations and her ability to connect with and engage audiences of all sizes and across demographics. She believes in social justice, equality, and that everyone has the right to walk through the world feeling safe, powerful, and confident. Nicole is the creator of “OutdoorDefense,” a YouTube series that provides safety strategies to empower people to enjoy the outdoors solo. Nicole is a Lead Instructor for IMPACT Personal Safety in addition to sitting on the IMPACT Board of Directors and was recently joined the IMPACT Global Travel Team. Nicole is passionate about educating others on how to discover their power and live fearlessly. She has traveled around the world leading hundreds of workshop discussions and live events at colleges, high schools, corporations and private groups and has facilitated Sexual Assault Prevention workshops at over 90 military installations worldwide. Nicole was featured in a self-defense instructional video by Tastemade Travel that won a People’s Voice Webby Award in May 2020. She was also a guest on the Nike Trained Podcast and was featured in the November 2021 issues of Women's Health Magazine. Nicole is also a solo adventurer, seasoned traveler, outdoor enthusiast and hike leader who volunteers with several organizations in her community. Her interactive programs are available virtually and on-site. 
ERIN WEED – founder
Erin founded GFB in 2001 at the age of 23 in response to the murder of Shannon, who was her close friend and sorority sister. Erin has won many awards for her work in women’s empowerment and social entrepreneurship. She was a columnist for CosmoGirl and is the author of Girls Fight Back! The College Girl’s Guide to Protecting Herself (now available in its 3rd edition). She is the creator of the GFB seminar seen by over a million women, and also the GFB Speaker Academy. 
SHANNON MCNAMARA – inspiration
Shannon was murdered on June 12, 2001 just a few days shy of her 22nd birthday. While the world lost an incredible human being that day, heaven gained one hell of an angel. Shannon’s story has inspired over one million women to become their own best defenders, and to live the badass life each of us were intended. And for that, we are so grateful. 
GINA KIRKLAND POLESETSKY – friend of GFB
Gina graduated from Amarillo College and West Texas A&M University with an A.A. and a B.A.. She worked as an educator and an event planner before opening Kirkland Productions, Inc., a college entertainment/speakers agency, in 2000. In 2007, she opened her second company, KP Comedy, and, in 2013, she channeled her lifelong passion for Women’s Issues into the purchase of her third company, Girls Fight Back. She picked up the banner from the amazing Erin Weed to continue bringing the message of living a fearless life and combating violence against women to millions of young women across the country. In 2020 she sold Girls Fight Back to Nicole Snell. She is a NOVA certified Victim Advocate, worked in partnership with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office of the Department of the Navy (DON SAPRO) on issues of sexual assault prevention and bystander behavior, is a graduate of the Gavin de Becker Advanced Threat Assessment and Management Academy, IMPACT Los Angeles and FAST Defense. |
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