FROM PUBLIC SERVICE TO THRILLING PERFORMANCES
Senior Special Agent with the Office of Inspector General is Part of Legendary Dance Performance
Above: The Spirit of Halloween: Velazquez in October of 2025 captivating NYC along 6th Avenue.
From New York City on Halloween night to the halls of GPO, Vanessa Velazquez knows how to command a stage. By day, she’s a Senior Special Agent with the Office of Inspector General (OIG). By night, especially on October 31st, she becomes part of one of the most electrifying dance spectacles in the country: the legendary “Thriller” performance at the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.
While her days are dedicated to rigorous investigative work at GPO, Velazquez’s passion truly ignites each October 31st when she transforms into a star performer in the iconic NYC Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. For years, she’s been a highlight of the parade, dancing with incredible energy and precision all along 6th Avenue.
A particular standout in her repertoire is her role as the number two dancer in the parade’s “Thriller” segment. Velazquez has performed with the group Thriller NYC since 2018. While the dance is familiar to just about everyone, performing it is not as simple as it looks. Stamina is a must as the iconic dance is repeated on a loop up to 30 times during the parade while dancers perform along the mile-long parade route.
“Dancing is my escape, my creative outlet,” said Velazquez. “There’s an incredible energy in the Halloween Parade—the costumes, the crowd, the music. Being able to perform “Thriller” with that kind of atmosphere is just pure joy. It’s about bringing smiles to people’s faces and being part of something truly magical.”
Hailing from the Bronx, Velazquez started her journey into public service with a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a master’s in public administration from John Jay College in New York. It was during her time at Georgetown that she perfected her dance skills, both choreographing and performing with the university’s competitive hip hop dance team, Groove Theory.
Above: GPO Senior Special Agent Vanessa Velazquez says, “What I really enjoy about GPO is the opportunity to make a tangible impact.”
“I have been dancing since I was three and have always loved creative expression through movement,” Velazquez said. “In high school, I performed modern, ballet, lyrical, and hip-hop dance. In college, I began to focus mainly on hip hop dance. In fact, my college dance team, Groove Theory, is where I first began performing “Thriller” at Georgetown each Halloween.”
Velazquez joined GPO in April 2025, bringing her extensive experience from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. In her role as a Senior Special Agent, Velazquez plays a crucial part in maintaining the integrity of Government operations. She’s responsible for investigating waste, fraud, and abuse, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used effectively and ethically.
“What I really enjoy about GPO is the opportunity to make a tangible impact,” said Velazquez. “Every day is different, and my role involves a lot of critical thinking and problem-solving to ensure transparency and accountability within the Agency. The OIG’s Investigations team is made up of talented, driven professionals; their passion inspires me greatly.”
Velazquez’s dedication to dance, a pursuit she’s enjoyed since childhood, mirrors the commitment she brings to her vital role at GPO. Whether she’s uncovering inefficiencies or captivating a parade audience, Velazquez exemplifies passion, precision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Above: Velazquez (far right) performing with Groove Theory during her time at Georgetown University.