We’ve all heard of “triple threats”. But Annie Malee gives new meaning to the term “multi-hyphenate”.  She is a mathematician.  She is an entrepreneur. She is the founder of a multi-national company which harnesses the power of artificial intelligence for good, tackling global issues like infectious disease tracking, child welfare, and access to education. And she is a philanthropist and founder of a charity foundation which supports causes ranging from Alzheimer’s to human rights to the environment.

But her most precious time is spent working with kids because “they are our future and have such a purity of perspective in how they view the world”.  Through her new Charity for Children, she inspires children to chase their dreams, no matter the obstacles.

“I spend about a third of my week working with children, pushing them to find the unique thing they feel they were born to do, and to believe they can accomplish it, no matter how big that dream seems,” the starlet tells Grazia USA.  “But I finally realized I needed to take my own advice!”

So she decided to chase the dream she has had since she was six years old: making movies.  “When the pandemic was in full swing, and we were all in lockdown, I sat down and read hundreds of screenplays.”

Only a little over one year later, she was starring in the film she wrote, “Abandonment”, opposite Oscar winner and film legend Richard Dreyfuss.  “That was yet another part of my six-year-old dream coming true,” she says.  “Richard Dreyfuss has been one of my favorite actors since I was a tiny child.  Acting opposite him was magical.”

“Abandonment” is a wilderness thriller.  The legendary screen veteran Dreyfuss plays a 911 operator trying desperately to rescue an injured hiker on the Appalachian Trail, played by Malee.  “Abandonment” hits theatres this fall.

Annie is living proof that anything is possible, if you believe in it enough.  “I always tell the children I work with that if you can dream it, you can do it,” she says.  “And when anyone tells you that you can’t, that you’re not good enough, and that you’ll never make it, that just means you need to dream even bigger.  Believe even harder.  Kick down that door that’s slammed in your face…but kick it with kindness,” she says.  “Have compassion for those who can’t see your vision. Yet.”

Photog: Siobhan Gazur Makeup/Hair: Doris Lew

Annie’s unwavering determination and perseverance have made her a role model for children, for aspiring entrepreneurs, and for dreamers everywhere.  Annie’s wisdom for others is simple: “Prioritize the things that make you happy.  And spend every moment you can chasing the one or two songs your soul was born to sing.”  She believes everyone has a unique gift, and it is up to each of us to find and make the most of it.

If you want to be a part of Annie’s nearly 5 million follower community of dream chasers, you can follow her on TikTok and Instagram.