My name is Gina Gibney, and I’m the founder, artistic director, and CEO of Gibney, a performing arts organization in New York City. From the beginning, I believed dance could be more than performance—it could be a vehicle for healing, empowerment, and connection.

One of the most meaningful parts of our work has been creating workshops for survivors of domestic violence. When someone has lost their sense of safety or control, movement can become a powerful tool of reclamation. Through simple, collaborative practices, we’ve seen women reconnect with themselves and with one another—transforming moments of hesitation into strength, laughter, and possibility.

The journey hasn’t been easy. In the early years, I wore every hat, fighting to keep the organization afloat. But our community—dancers, boards, and countless supporters—shared the vision and made this cause their own. Together, we’ve built a space where everyone can feel welcome, supported, and able to thrive.

To me, this is what it means to be American—and to be a New Yorker: caring deeply for your community and creating space for others. Once, after a performance in Montreal, someone told me, “Your company is what I want America to be.” That sentiment has never left me.