Annie Lee
Co-creator & ED of Seeds4Hope, Hmong Women Today; Circle Facilitator

As a young girl growing up, I craved recognition—a deep longing to be seen, valued, and understood. So I learned to navigate life by overachieving, staying busy, and being competitive. But underneath that drive was fear. It didn’t feel safe to be fully myself, to be vulnerable, or to believe I was worthy of love just as I was. So I became the girl who strived quietly, the one who wore a mask of control while carrying silent suffering beneath the surface.

My natural competitiveness, fear of judgment, and mistrust in other women made it hard to build authentic relationships—with others and with myself. I often felt disconnected, misunderstood, and alone in my pain.

In 2013, I launched Hmong Women Today in search of connection—to learn from other Hmong sisters and to create a space where our stories could be shared. What I found in that journey changed me:
*I was not alone.
*Hmong women are remarkable, creative, and worthy of celebration.
*We long to empower one another and create a better future for the next generation.
*Our shared struggles hold the potential for collective healing and change.
*Collaboration, family, and community care are at the heart of who we are.

Yet, even as we celebrated one another, I noticed lingering challenges:
* Struggles with trust in relationships.
* Fear of being judged or taking up space.
* Difficulty asking for help or claiming our worth.
* A quiet sense of inadequacy that many of us carried.

As I reflected on my own journey, I realized how much I had centered my worth around external validation. I had overlooked my inner power—my voice, my truth, my values. And it wasn’t until I began to immerse myself in healing spaces—spiritual retreats, women’s circles, communities that honored presence and care—that I felt safe enough to speak honestly and be fully seen. Through unlearning and relearning, I reconnected with myself. I discovered that true belonging starts within. The safety, love, and worth I longed for had to be cultivated in me first. That awakening became the foundation of my work.

Through Hmong Women Today and later Seeds4Hope, I found myself walking alongside other women who shared the same hunger—for connection, purpose and impact.  We launched the Vivncaus Mentorship Program in 2019, rooted in co-creative leadership and shared purpose. And though the journey was not always easy—we faced moments of tension, betrayal, and growth—we chose to keep showing up for each other. We chose dialogue over division, trust over fear. Today, I’m proud to co-found Seeds4Hope alongside eight incredible Hmong sisters. Together, we’ve reached over 90 emerging leaders in Southeast Asia, supported by mentors, volunteers, and a powerful vision. The journey continues—and it’s been one of the most humbling and healing experiences of my life.

As a children’s counselor and women’s circle facilitator, I’ve witnessed how transformational safe, intentional spaces can be. I’ve seen women reclaim their voices, reconnect with their power, and step into lives led by purpose and truth.

But self-leadership doesn’t thrive in isolation. It needs soil—an environment of trust, support, and safety. When we create those spaces for one another, we make room for healing, vulnerability, and genuine empowerment. That’s the heart of Circle With Annie.

My invitation to you: Become a safe space for others. Co-create the kind of community where authenticity is welcomed, where vulnerability is honored, and where every woman feels seen and supported. Together, we can break cycles, build trust, and create a world where every woman knows she is worthy, powerful, and never alone.

Infinite, Love & Gratitude,

Annie Lee