
Writing
I cover travel, entrepreneurship, and representation in media for publications like Insider, The Seattle Times, Joysauce, and more. With my stories, I focus on bringing in BIPOC experts and making folks feel seen.
Finding a career in storytelling and story-listening
I have 10+ years of writing and content strategy experience, and my work has been featured in Business Insider, The Seattle Times, Joysauce and more - through it all, my mission is to amplify BIPOC voices, businesses, and perspectives. If I’m making my 8-year-old self proud, I’m doing something right.
Photos and illustrations from my stories
I’m available for short and long-term writing, editing, and marketing projects. Topics of interest include representation in media, mental health in the South Asian and LGBTQ+ community, travel, and Q&A with authors and entrepreneurs. If you’d like to work together, reach out to me at ansarialeenah@gmail.com.
Q&As with creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs who are changing their industry
I interview authors, entrepreneurs, and creatives of color about how they built their businesses, the importance of lifting as you climb, and tips for folks following in their footsteps.
The poetry collection “Time Is a Mother” continues to be a special part of Ocean Vuong’s career, one where he bridges grief and humor. We talked about the power of embracing both grief and humor, what guidance he’d provide to someone rediscovering poetry, and what time has given him. | Read the story
In his work, Nathan Vass turns ordinary bus rides into something extraordinary — an opportunity for connection in a city known for folks who keep to themselves. I interviewed him about “Deciding to See: The View from Nathan’s Bus,” a collection of stories from his time as a bus driver, with a focus on finding joy and hope in difficult times. | Read the story
Charles Yu discusses what it means to Asian American in his book “Interior Chinatown.” | Read the story
Seeds for entrepreneurship often are planted over time. This was the experience of Rachel Barnecut, ’12, ’18, the founder of Matcha Magic, who had previously worked as a barista, product designer and more before she started her own business, Matcha Magic | Read the story
Valerie Madison didn’t initially set out to start a fine jewelry business - instead, she was following her curiosity. We chatted with Valerie to learn more about how she built her fine jewelry business, her process for coming up with new designs, and how she carved a space for herself as an entrepreneur | Read the story
Putsata Reang discusses queerness, her Cambodian roots, and what you own your family in her memoir, Ma and Me. | Read the story
E-Commerce
Food can often be a love language, especially in the ways that we share it with our community. This gift guide highlights products from AA+PI-owned businesses, all of which are perfect for the foodie in your life. | Read the story
One of the main ways I’ve connected to my culture is through my grandmother, who embodies unconditional love in the way that she cares for me. She introduced me to hair oiling, a practice I now incorporate into my life with the Shaz & Kiks Scalp and Hair Pre-Wash. | Read the story
I hiked to Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas and brought these beauty products with me so my skin would stay hydrated and protected from the sun, including a Youth to the People face mask, Alcala deodorizing wipes, and Aquaphor. | Read the story
Travel
In September, I went on a two-week trek to Everest base camp in Nepal, which sits at an altitude of 17,598 feet. Here’s what I packed | Read the story
If you have 24 hours to explore Seattle, use this itinerary to make most of your time! | Read the story
As a Seattleite, quick road trips across the border to Vancouver are always a staple in my summer schedule. Here’s how I’d spend the perfect day in the city | Read the story
If you’re looking for queer-owned and affirming bookstores across the country, these 8 bookstores across the U.S. have you covered. Drop by to find books by queer and trans writers, cards, gifts, and even care packages. | Read the story
If you’re visiting Seattle for the first time (or the first time in a while), you might be asking yourself: Where can I get an authentic Seattle experience in a short period of time? Here are my recommendations. | Read the story
This 1.2-mile walk features 7 murals in the U-District neighborhood of Seattle that highlight community joy and resilience. | Read the story
Whether you're looking for vegan banh mi or an upscale seafood dinner, here are the best places to eat in Seattle, WA | Read the story
Selebrate Pride in Seattle yearround by shopping small at local businesses, attending a live performance, exploring Capitol Hill neighborhood, and more. | Read the story
FInancial Wellness
I interviewed a lawyer about what queer couples should consider when deciding if a prenup is right for them, and how they can define fairness on their own terms. | Read the story
My partner and I got married in O’ahu, and we used an Alaska Airlines credit card to maximize our savings and points. | Read the story
After three years of running my business, I have six tools that have been the most valuable. One of them is even free — but they're all an essential part of my budget. | Read the story
Writing what I should have been able to read: Personal essays on identity, representation, and queerness
In the process of planning our wedding as a queer couple, we decided to make our own traditions as a way to honor our Pakistani and Filipina heritage. | Read the story
I reflect on the importance of salary negotiation and consult expert Kim Tran for tips on how to advocate for yourself in the workplace and beyond | Read the story
I reconnected with my Pakistani culture through Shaz & Kiks, a line of Ayurvedic hair-care products with an origin story that mimics my own beauty journey | Read the story
The people behind the products: Journalistic writing about technology
As a writer with a background in tech and user experience design, I write stories that focus on how technology empowers people. These stories focus on the internal tools that empower the company’s employees, and they were all published on the Microsoft Inside Track blog.
Salesforce offers vast self-serve resources on IT support and HR benefits, but finding the right info can be time-consuming. I wrote about how Agentforce automates the process, delivering instant answers to employees. | Read the story
Microsoft researchers worked with employees in Microsoft Digital to extend the network connectivity of the company’s underwater datacenter. | Read the story
Managed by attorneys and immigration specialists, Microsoft’s US Immigration Yammer community supports employees on work visas at Microsoft on their immigration journey. | Read the story
Ken Sexsmith wants to start a movement where everyone wants to be a part of the company’s security story. He develops security training at Microsoft that is approachable, fun, and relevant to employee’s day-to-day work. | Read the story
I am forever indebted to the educators, artists, entrepreneurs, and community builders who have shared their stories, cultures, challenges, and learnings with me. No matter how many review cycles or late nights I spend refining an article, I promise to advocate for authenticity and representation of people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and everyone who doesn’t typically see their stories represented in media.