Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day
Engineering Impact at Galaxy
At Galaxy, innovation is powered by engineers who architect the systems behind digital finance and high-performance computing. From designing low-latency trading infrastructure to building blockchain validation systems, our engineering team operates across custody, staking, trading, lending, protocol design, and AI infrastructure.
This International Women in Engineering Day, we’re proud to spotlight some of the exceptional women who were nominated as top engineers at Galaxy.
Meet: Monica Danesa, Tanja Alvarez, Angela Wilson, Tamara Balderas, Amy Wang, Sophia Ciocca, Meena Ramakrishnan, and McKenna Warren.
Their work spans a wide range of roles and responsibilities, from building secure validator nodes and core custody systems to ensuring network performance across financial collocations. These engineers help power the infrastructure that moves both capital and compute.
We asked them to share their experiences, advice, and perspectives on what it means to be a woman in engineering here at Galaxy and in the broader tech ecosystem. Here’s what they had to say:
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
At eight years old, I accidentally discovered programming by, instead of running a game, opening the source code, and after hundreds of trials and errors, managing to design my own new levels. I was captivated by the power to create something from nothing but logic and code. This early exposure sparked a genuine passion for solving complex problems and building stuff. Engineering’s blend of innovation, problem-solving, and tangible impact aligned perfectly with my strengths and interests, making it less of a career choice and more of a natural evolution of my curiosities.
- Tanja Alvarez
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in engineering?
Don’t be afraid of working on challenging projects and be hungry to learn on your own and from others. Don’t wait to be spoon-fed with answers, but rather stay curious, ask questions, and keep upgrading yourself and exploring new technologies. Focus on building a strong foundation in logic and problem-solving, and don’t underestimate the value of soft skills like communication and teamwork. Most importantly, be patient with yourself—progress takes time, and every step forward matters.
- Monica Danesa
What’s something you’ve learned through your work as an engineer?
To advocate for what my definition of “what good looks like.” If I have a strong opinion on how something should be done, the idea should be put forward and be part of a conversation or discussion. It was important for me to learn not be scared of disagreements—especially in these situations, they are a great opportunity to: either learn something new and change my definition of what good looks like or, have a significant impact on how something is done.
- Tamara Balderas
What do you want the next generation of female engineers at Galaxy to inherit?
A culture where their voices are heard, their ideas are taken seriously, and their leadership is expected, not exceptional. I want them to walk into rooms already knowing they belong there, with systems in place that support their growth, confidence, and ambition.
- McKenna Warren
International Women in Engineering Day is more than a moment of recognition. It’s a global reminder that diverse perspectives strengthen teams, drive innovation, and expand what’s possible. In industries like digital assets and AI infrastructure, where the rules are still being written, representation at the engineering level shapes not only products, but the future of the field.
At Galaxy, we know that engineering excellence is built on collaboration, creativity, and inclusivity. The women recognized today exemplify these qualities, and we’re proud to celebrate their contributions.