We’re looking forward to introducing you to Anahita Dalmia. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Anahita, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately I’ve been really enjoying Latin dance. I usually dance as a follow, and I love it because my work life is full of constant decision-making and leadership. Dancing gives me the chance to let go of control in a safe, structured way and just be present in the moment.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Anahita, the founder of Alterea, which I started in 2020 during my senior year of college. Alterea began with a passion for creating immersive ‘storyliving’ experiences—interactive worlds where participants don’t just watch a story unfold, they step into it, exploring spaces, engaging with live actors, and going on quests.
When the pandemic hit, we had to completely reimagine our model, and that pivot led us to one of our most exciting projects: Agents of Influence. It’s a spy-themed media literacy video game for students ages 11–16 that helps them build critical thinking skills around misinformation while having fun. The name itself comes from a Cold War term for spies who shaped policy through disinformation—something we think is more relevant than ever today.
At Alterea, we build worlds where people realize they are both the heroes and the authors of their own stories. In safe, imaginative spaces, they can see how their choices matter—and then carry that sense of agency into the real world.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I was 15, living in New Delhi, and spending a summer in New York for school when I met someone who was also from Delhi. I told them about a carnival I was organizing to raise money to educate girls in India, and they immediately wanted to get involved. Seeing their eyes light up in excitement was the first time I realized how powerful it can be to share an idea. A small action—just talking about a project—turned into big results. It showed me that if you put your vision out there, the world has a way of working with you to make it real.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
As hard as it is to believe now, I was very quiet when I was younger and was heavily bullied in middle school. That experience forced me to separate my self-worth from other people’s negative perceptions and taught me to place more value on my own opinion and on those who supported me. I learned to filter out voices that offered only hate without constructive feedback.
I’m not an advocate for bullying, but I can acknowledge that experience shaped me into who I am today. It built my resilience—and I’m genuinely happy with where I’ve ended up. A few years later, those same people apologized and admitted they were wrong, which was unexpectedly healing. But even more than that, building a fulfilling and successful life on my own terms has been the real exhale.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I really admire Richard Taylor of Weta Workshop (They’re known for things like Lord of The Rings and King Kong)—not just for his power or success, but for his character. At a conference, he said something that stuck with me: ‘Love what you do, who you do it for, and whom you do it with.’ This showed strong, well thought out and consistent ethos.
I got to spend some time with him at Universal Studios during that trip, and even in what was supposed to be a fun, casual setting, he showed me what character looks like in practice.
Before joining the group in the park, he spent 20 minutes perfecting a press release on his phone, explaining to me, ‘If our clients can’t trust us to have a grammatically perfect press release, how can they trust us to have perfect form when we build something?’ And then, once it was done, he put his phone away completely and skipped with me into Nintendo Land.
That balance—holding incredibly high standards while also being fully present and aligned with his values—is something I deeply admire. His success comes from power, yes, but you can see how it was built on the foundation of his character.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will say, ‘She made something that’s making a difference.’ As simple as that sounds, I look at Walt Disney as an example. Even long after he’s gone, his work continues to shape lives—not just through innovation in storytelling and mediums, but through the comfort, hope, and joy it brings. His creations light up dark days, make rainy nights feel warmer, and create connection between friends and families. I hope to build things that do the same—work that outlives me and continues to make a difference in people’s lives.
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