Galina began an acting career, making her screen debut in a small part in the 1989 comedy film Big Man on Campus. She later appeared in the David Jacobs' series Paradise, before winning a role on his Knots Landing. She first appeared in the series in a guest role, playing Mary Frances Sumner in 1990, before joining the regular cast as Kate Whittaker for the final three seasons of the show. She reprised the role of Kate for Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac in 1997.