Erin Weed is an award-winning professional speaker, author, violence prevention expert and Founder/CEO of both Girls Fight Back and Fight Back Productions. Her calling to the field of personal safety began in 2001 as a direct response to the murder of her friend and sorority sister, Shannon McNamara. After Shannon’s death, Erin abandoned her career in TV production to study with the best violence prevention specialists and self-defense experts in the world.

Just months after Shannon's tragic murder, Erin began traveling the nation giving keynotes and seminars at high schools, colleges and corporations. To date, she has spoken to half a million people with her uplifting and empowering message of staying safe and finding peace in the process. Due to popular demand for her presentations, Erin trained a team of speakers to give her seminars in 2009 and launched Fight Back Productions, a niche speakers bureau that books all seminars given by Erin and her team.

Erin launched Speaker School in 2010 as a way to train other people to use their voice to change the world, while simultaneously finding a rewarding career path on the podium.

Articles, Books & Blogs

Erin wrote a personal safety and self-defense monthly column for CosmoGirl magazine between 2004-2005, and has also contributed to safety articles for Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and hundreds of local newspapers and radio shows.  Her first book, Girls Fight Back! The College Girl’s Guide to Protecting Herself was self-published and released in bookstores nationwide in 2006.  In 2008, publishing rights were acquired by Pearson Publishing and the book will be re-released in late 2010.  Erin’s blog is largely dedicated to discussing violence prevention, public speaking, social innovation and women's empowerment.

Media Exposure

Erin has been featured in media including: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, Marie Claire, Glamour, Ladies Home Journal and was named “CosmoGirl of the Year 2002” by CosmoGirl magazine. She was the safety expert in a CNN feature about safe spring break, and has appeared twice as a violence prevention expert on the Fox Newschannel crime show “The Lineup.”  During the Fall 2008 speaking tour she was a guest on the CBS Early Show and Weekend Today. Watch Erin on TV!

Education & Awards

Erin is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, with a B.A. in Speech Communication and a minor in Public Relations. She was awarded the Eastern Illinois University Young Alumnus of the Year Award in 2003 and was honored with the “Hometown Hero” award by John Walsh (founder of America’s Most Wanted) on NBC’s The John Walsh Show. In 2006, Erin was named “30 Under 30” by New Jersey Monthly magazine, and was the recipient of the Joel Goldman Award for professional speaking excellence. In 2009 she was honored with the "Best Female Performer" award by Campus Activities Magazine. Erin is a member of the National Speakers Association, Rotary Club International and Alpha Phi Fraternity.