Ethics & Disclosures
How I show up online
My active online profiles.
As of April 2025, I semi-regularly post online using Medium, Substack, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Facebook, Twitter/X, and here on my personal site using Squarespace.
I have, over the years, also posted on: Instagram, SlideShare, Tumblr, YouTube, Flickr, WordPress, Reddit, Google Forms, Blogspot, Snap, and more comment sections than you might imagine. Those accounts are dormant for now, but not forever. When the time and season is right, they will thaw. And when it’s not, they will remain in winter.
Human always, AI sometimes.
I believe in the power of human intelligence (HI). I am also curious-and-concerned about the applications and future of artificial intelligence (AI).
In my writing, I sometimes use AI tools to brainstorm, outline, or refine a headline or sentence. If I have used AI in something I’ve written, I will note it in the footer.
My general feeling is that I don’t want to outsource my thinking and I don’t want to publish something that hasn’t been through my own head / heart / hands at least a few times (as painful as the process can be at times, it’s such a teacher!!)
I believe HI is an art and gift we must practice, treasure, pass down, and keep alive. I am carefully navigating and reflecting on my use of AI as I think about how it can enhance, replace, or erode my own HI. All that to say: what in the Jetsons era wild times are these?! Overall the AI / HI balance is something I hope to get a good sense of as my daughter grows up.
Your data, your rights.
I believe personal data privacy isn’t just a legal checkbox, it’s a moral imperative. If you’re a reader, subscriber, or visitor to my site, you have rights over your personal data. You can request access, corrections, or deletion at any time (email me at: leslieann44@gmail.com). NB: You also have these rights as a data subject with other websites; know ‘em and use ‘em folks!
I follow the spirit and letter of data protection laws like the Personal Data Protection Law / PDPL in Saudi Arabia - a space I am currently working in with an amazing team; the General Data Protection Regulation / GDPR in the EU, and the California Consumer Privacy Act / CCPA in California, even if not strictly required, because I believe in accountability to and agency for every data subject with whom I interact (that’s you, friend!).
Transparency and personal evolution.
I always aim for accuracy in representing myself and transparency behind my thinking, argumentation, and logic. If I get it wrong or change my stance, you’ll hear it from me. My posts are highly-hyperlinked to trusted sources and, when possible, I link to things from my memory, experiences, and intuition (both figuratively and literally).
If I mention a company, person, or product and there’s a financial connection, past or present, I’ll say so. As of April 2025, I have not ever used affiliate links or sponsored posts (if this changes, I will clearly note it).
My writing often draws from experience with clients, collaborators, or past employers, but I don’t receive ongoing compensation unless explicitly stated.
Rooted in principles.
My work is shaped by lived experience, tested values, and an active desire to serve others. I don’t believe I have all—or even any of—the answers. But I do have a handful of frameworks, questions, and approaches that I share openly and as works-in-progress to those seeking support, insight, and guidance. I commit to showing up truthfully, ethically, and with care for the people reading, listening, or working alongside me.
I’ve also written more about how I show up as a leader here and about my principles near the bottom of this page.
On image manipulation.
From 2015 to 2017, I occasionally edited my appearance using Facetune—smoothing skin, shrinking features, and altering my body shape. This was a departure from the values I now hold. Since 2018, I’ve stopped using appearance-altering apps and have deleted as many of the modified images as I could find. Any remaining photos that were edited will be noted accordingly.
I believe in showing up as I am, not as a filtered, faked, or airbrushed version—and I’m committed to keeping my digital presence in line with that.
AI Disclosure: I used ChatGPT to ask me questions to draw out my thinking in order to write these disclosures. I also used ChatGPT to help inspire the headers of each section above.
Open-hearted, but not open-ended.
I appreciate hearing from readers and collaborators. If you reach out, I’ll do my best to respond. I must also warn that after living a lot of my early-to-mid career online, I now am more vigilant about protecting my peace and my screentime, so I might not get to every outreach.
Financial interests.
I currently work with Pyxos and ExCo Leadership. I am also an angel investor through Turtle Ventures and the W Fund. Where these interests are involved in my writing, I clearly disclose as such. Same will go for any active client disclosures.