Meet Danielle Galipo: Knicks City Dancer and Industrial Engineer

It’s not every day that you meet someone who has two successful careers, yet it is entirely possible since that’s the case with Danielle Galipo! She is a Knicks City Dancer, and an industrial engineer at a beverage company. Now the two couldn’t be more different, so we were curious and had to learn more.

Smart Girls: What career opportunities were you exposed to during your Bachelor of Science degree, and how did you choose engineering?

Danielle: Growing up I was a very curious kid, always wondering how things were made and how they worked. That, along with that fact that math has always been my favorite subject, led me to choose engineering as a focus when entering my freshman year at Penn State University. During my time in college, I completed summer internships with GE Transportation and FritoLay. The experience I had with FritoLay led me to pursue a career in the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

What are you responsible for in your job as an industrial engineer?

I’ve been working in the beverage manufacturing industry for the past two and a half years now and have taken on several different roles. Initially, I was a production line manager overseeing three different packaging processes. It was my job to manage the operation from start to finish and help troubleshoot any mechanical or electrical issues with the equipment necessary to the operation. After a year in that position, I was promoted to Material Quality Improvement Manager. I am now in charge of maintaining relationships with all external material suppliers and ensuring the material they provide us with is up to standard. I also help manage the quality assurance lab, which is operating 24/7 with a team of 15 employees. Each day in a production environment is very different, which keeps me on my toes!

How much training goes into learning 30–40 choreographed dances for each season?

A lot! Although the New York Knicks season tips off in late October, the Knicks City Dancers are practicing twelve hours a week beginning in July. We have the opportunity to work with so many amazing choreographers, all with unique styles, so it takes time to master each piece. Once the season kicks off, we still continue to have at least 8 hours of practice each week. We always want to be prepared to put on an amazing performance for our fans!

What do you love about being a KCD dancer?

I absolutely love performing in “the world’s most famous arena” with the group of talented and kind women that I’m lucky enough to call my teammates. Being around women with such determination and work ethic is very inspiring. I also love the complexity of each routine, not only the choreography, but the attention to detail of the lighting, costuming, and formations leads to a great performance.

If you could share a piece of advice with your younger self, what would it be?

Never underestimate yourself! To be dancing professionally is a dream come true, and I would tell my younger self to stay confident and keep pushing towards those goals! If you’re willing to work hard, you can do anything you set your mind to.

Thanks for chatting with us, Danielle! Do you know a talented woman who deserves recognition? Let us know via the comments or on Twitter!