Annie Kroen

Annie is a certified speech-language pathologist, dance instructor, advocate for inclusion, and Founder of Ability in Motion. Her passion for inclusion has led her to create and bring awareness to opportunities for individuals with disabilities, increasing their involvement within their community.

Through her platform, Ability in Motion, Annie has collaborated with various organizations who have a passion for inclusion, including Best Buddies International, Gigi’s Playhouse, and Special Olympics. She enjoys visiting small businesses who employ individuals with disabilities, including Will’s Place and Hugs & Mugs Cafe. She has also created an adaptive dance program, Rhythm is a Dancer, which provides children and young adults of varying abilities with the opportunity to experience the joy of dance in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Annie obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech and Hearing Science and a Minor in Spanish from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She went on to obtain her Master of Science Degree in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University. Most recently, she has returned back to higher education to obtain her Director of Special Education endorsement from Concordia University - Chicago. 

Currently, Annie works as a speech-language pathologist in a local school district with 5th-8th graders in instructional and specialized instruction classrooms. In addition to maintaining her caseload, she serves as a clinical supervisor for speech-language pathology graduate clinicians. Annie also works at her childhood dance studio as a dance instructor, certified adaptive dance teacher, and company director.

In her spare time, you can find her traveling to NFL stadiums, watching Dancing with the Stars, attending a pilates class, eating ice cream, walking the runway, playing with her dogs, or flying off to Disney World!

Annie began competing for the Miss International title at the Miss Illinois International Pageant in both 2019 and 2021. In 2025, she had the privilege of representing Illinois at the Miss International 2025 pageant, where she placed first runner-up. In 2026, Annie returned to the Miss International stage and was crowned Miss International 2026, achieving a goal years in the making.

Annie strives to be an active and visible representation for International Pageants. She is incredibly grateful to hold the title of Miss International 2026 and is excited to utilize her crown to engage in meaningful collaborations, making a continued impact on her community.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Miss International 2026, Annie Kroen. If you are interested in connecting, please reach out at missintl2026@gmail.com