Aleenah Ansari, Writer
Writer, mural enthusiast, and journalist at heart

About

Aleenah Ansari is a Seattle-based Pakistani writer and content strategist with 10+ years of experience covering travel. representation in media, and the non-linear journeys of entrepreneurs. She also coaches people and hosts webinars on using storytelling to navigate the job search, creating opportunities by pitching yourself, and building an authentic personal brand.

About Me

Photo by Andrea Chen

My name is Aleenah Ansari (she/her), and I’m a storyteller in every context. These days, I’m a writer and content strategist covering travel in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, entrepreneurship, and representation in media for publications like The Seattle Times, Insider, Joysauce, and more.

It’s hard to be what you can’t see, which is why I primarily bring in women of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ folks as subject matter experts in my stories. This includes authors, entrepreneurs, and creatives with non-linear paths who are open about the process as much as the final product. I strive to lift as I climb, which is why I help high-achieving professionals and entrepreneurs feel more confident telling stories about their identity and work through 1:1 coaching. I also host talks about storytelling, personal branding, and strategically navigating the job search and often join authors as a conversation partner on their book tours.

My career is at the intersection of product marketing and storytelling in tech, where I’ve led field enablement, video production, and internal and external storytelling for Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Salesforce with a focus on AI tools like Copilot and Agentforce as well as the Microsoft Edge browser.

I’m also a 2021 ADCOLOR FUTURE, Human Centered Design & Engineering alumna, TEDx speaker, and 425 Business 30 under 30 honoree. Connect with me on LinkedIn, drop me a line at aleenahansari@gmail.com.

Outside of work, I’m usually writing about my favorite hidden gems in Seattle and beyond, reading a book by a BIPOC author, and planning my next trip to New York.

Aleenah Ansari, a [former] product marketing manager at Microsoft, noticed the lack of stories that reflected her experience as a queer Pakistani woman. Determined to bridge this gap, she strives to make technology more accessible through inclusive and authentic storytelling.

⭐ A List of My Career (and Life) Accomplishments ⭐

My TEDx talk about channeling jealousy as a tool for self-reflection

  • I facilitated a live Q&A with Her First $100k founder Tori Dunlap, and later went on her podcast to talk about the power of building authentic relationships! Since then, I’ve been a conversation partner to multiple authors including Mariah Rigg, Rachel Runya Katz, and more!

  • I was invited to be a part of Microsoft’s Inclusion is Innovation campaign, which celebrated my non-linear journey into tech and lessons learned along the way

  • After beign seelcted as an ADCOLOR FUTURE, I returned to the ADCOLOR Conference to mentor the next class of FUTURES as an alumni ambassador

  • I interviewed Charles Yu, Putsata Reang, Alexandria Bellefleur, Ocean Vuong, and others about their latest books for The Seattle Times, and my stories ran in print and online

  • I started my freelance writing and speaking business that covers travel, entrepreneurship, and representation in media for publications like Insider, The Seattle Times, Washington State Tourism, and more

  • I created TikToks about my favorite BIPOC-owned businesses in Seattle and beyond with the goal of inspiring others to be everyday adventurers in their own cities. My content has garnered over a million views to date and has enabled me to highlight BIPOC-owned businesses, bookstores, and gathering spaces

  • I was an ADCOLOR 2021 honoree and 425 Business 30 under 30 winner

  • I trekked 17,598 feet in the air to Everest Base Camp - read about my lessons learned, what I packed, and even my favorite beauty products that came with me

  • I gave my first TEDx talk about channeling jealousy as a tool for self-reflection

  • I wrote mural walks for Fremont, Capitol Hill, University District, and Ballard

  • I raised $3k for women of color in STEM by creating boxes of products from woman-owned local businesses

  • I graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in Human Centered Design and Engineering and Comparative History of Ideas

⭐ Features and Awards ⭐

Alumni Highlight: Aleenah Ansari (she/her), Story Developer (article)

Writers Not Writing: How Aleenah Ansari finds the magic in everyday things (Q&A)

Inclusion is Innovation with Microsoft (article and video)

Storytelling, mentorship and weathering the highs and lows with Aleenah Ansari (article)

425 30 under 30 Class of 2022 Profiles (article)

Seattle Inno Under 25: Aleenah Ansari, Aleenah's Consulting Services founder (article)