During Women’s History Month, Knox Grove Financial is honored to spotlight remarkable local women who are not only shaping our economy and institutions but helping define the future of our community. Through this series, we celebrate entrepreneurs, authors, attorneys, educators, and visionaries, women we have the pleasure of working with who build businesses from the ground up, lead organizations, guide clients through complex decisions, and inspire the next generation.
Our fifth feature of the series brings you Dawn Cargiulo Berman, Owner and Artistic Director of The Pennington Studio located at 114 Straube Center Blvd. Suite K-2 Pennington, NJ 08534. For the past decade, The Pennington Studio for Dance has remained rooted in a clear and consistent mission: to provide our community with strong, inspiring dance programs for all ages while emphasizing proper technique and nurturing each student’s artistic spirit.
From the World Stage to the Studio
After graduating from The Laban Centre for Dance in London, I went on to perform professionally throughout my twenties across the globe. I was a member of the internationally acclaimed Momix Dance Company and performed with several New York City-based companies including Neo Labos, Shoestring, and Isadora Dance Legacy. Today, I channel that experience into building not just skilled dancers, but confident, expressive young people.
Beyond the stage and studio, I consider motherhood to my four children my greatest role. Next to that, I’m most proud of the vibrant studio community my team and I have cultivated over the past ten years - a place where discipline and creativity coexist, and where students feel both challenged and supported.
How do you define success, now vs when you started?
For me, success isn’t measured solely by accolades, but by the health of the relationships around me. Maintaining balance between work and family, and ensuring both remain strong, is my true benchmark.
What advice would you give other women building something of their own?
My advice to other women stepping into vulnerable or ambitious pursuits is simple: get quiet often and stay true to yourself. In a world full of distractions and enticing opportunities, I believe the greatest fulfillment comes from remaining aligned with your original vision and authentic self.
From Idea to Impact
As a proud member of the Hopewell community, Dawn has fostered creativity, nurtured aspiring young artists, and provided high-quality arts education for her students. Over the years, she has also collaborated with organizations such as the Hopewell Valley Arts Council, Rider University, and The Lawrenceville School. She also partnered with The Watershed Institute (Hopewell) and Global Water Dances to create a film promoting healthy local water and raising awareness of water issues in the Hopewell Valley. Other local organizations she collaborates with include the Pennington Public Library and Pennington Parks and Recreation.
Through her work, Dawn understands both the challenge and the deep satisfaction that comes from building a business from the ground up and seeing a long-held dream take shape.
Stories like Dawn’s remind us that behind every thriving organization is a vision, dedication, and the courage to build something meaningful. At Knox Grove Financial, we are proud to support entrepreneurs, professionals, and families who are pursuing their own goals, whether that means growing a business, planning for the future, or stewarding the wealth you’ve worked hard to create. We are here to provide guidance and partnership in wealth management and financial planning for individuals and businesses at every stage of your journey.