Born and raised in Carson City, Nevada, While living in Thailand in 1991, Potter worked for an organization called "Empower" which counseled brothel workers on AIDS education and prevention.

She served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Empowerment at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In this capacity she represented the Department with national public interest groups and associations affiliated with community and economic development issues. She began her appointment at HUD in April 1993 as a special assistant to then Assistant Secretary Andrew Cuomo and worked in this capacity until 1997.

Potter served as Chief of Staff for the President's Community Empowerment Board, from June of 1997 to November of 1999. She was the principle advisor to Vice President Gore, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board, in the planning, development, and coordination of the Administration's efforts to support poor and underserved communities.

She was the Director of Lesbian and Gay Outreach for the White House Office of Public Liaison. While the Clinton/Gore Administration has appointed more than 150 openly gay and lesbian people to positions ranging from ambassadors to housing secretaries, Potter's position was specifically created.

Potter never imagined she'd one day be advising the President of the United States on lesbian and gay issues. "I could not have ever dreamed this," she said. And while she has made a comfortable life for herself as an out lesbian, she hasn't forgotten her roots, or the struggles gay men and lesbians still face.

In November of 1999, Potter was named Director of Lesbian and Gay Outreach for the White House Office of Public Liaison. This Office is responsible for eliciting input from the public regarding policies, programs and issues, and communicating those views to the President and his advisors. Additionally, the Office of Public Liaison coordinates support for the President's key priorities and initiatives.