Valerie Galloway

The best career advice I ever received came from my professor at Rutgers when I was considering becoming a labor attorney. She asked me if I loved law as much as I loved dance, and when I said I didn't know, she told me that if I don't know, then the answer is no. That advice helped me realize that I needed to follow my true passion and calling, which led me to the nonprofit field and eventually to combining my love of dance with my desire to help people.

The advice I would give to young women entering dance or any field is: Do not compare yourself to anyone. Don't listen to anybody else other than you. If it was placed in your heart, you were supposed to do it, no matter how hard it can be or how many challenges or barriers are in your way. As women, we are faced with so many external and internal pressures, but don't give up. Always bet on yourself and know your worth. For dance specifically, you don't have to know how to do an axle tilt to be a good dancer - if you believe in yourself, that's all you need. Practice makes progress, not perfection. Create boundaries and don't listen to the naysayers, because people who tell you what you can't do are saying it because they can't do it themselves. If they're not pouring positivity into you, that's not their place. There's a phrase I love: if you like it, I love it. It may not be their vision, but don't let that stop you from doing what your calling is. This applies whether you're just starting out or you're 60 years old - don't listen to anybody else, listen to yourself. And especially not the men, don't listen to them.

The values most important to me are creating safe spaces for everyone, focusing on the humanity that connects us all, and being inclusive regardless of background, ability, age, sexual orientation, or any other factor. I believe in being a vessel for others and helping people experience what dance did for me - bringing joy, belonging, identity, and peace. It's not about money or what you can do technically, it's about what's in your heart and your passion, and how you express yourself and your individuality. I focus on supporting and helping people, being an advocate and a voice for those who need it, whether that's in my dance work or my work with individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. I believe in creating boundaries, knowing your worth, and not succumbing to external pressures. My work is about pouring positive energy into people and channeling experiences, even trauma, into creating spaces where everyone belongs.