MEET THE CANDIDATE: Leila Is Running For ApeCoin DAO Special Council

After 15 years of marketing experience in the Web2 and Web3 world, Leila Salieva has done everything from starting her own startups to organizing 21 side events at the 2014 Winter Olympics. As she likes to say, she is 'bored but never boring.' Now, she is throwing her hat in the ring and running for a spot on the ApeCoin DAO Special Council, where she hopes to onboard her Web2 and Web3 frens to $Ape while working to make ApeChain a welcoming place and the top choice for developers in the crypto space!

The ApeCoin DAO’s summer election season is underway with 10 ApeCoin DAO contributors running for a spot on the 2024 Special Council. Among the candidates vying for this position is Leila.

“In my professional career, I have always emphasized the creation of ecosystems around fundamental content components, such as designs,” Leila wrote on her candidate page. “I believe that my previous experience in marketing, gaming, and partnership relationships can assist the APE community in expanding adoption without compromising its heritage. Additionally, I excel at gathering diverse opinions and using them to devise final solutions. My strategic thinking and forward-looking approach can contribute to shaping the long-term vision and direction of the ApeCoin DAO. The DAO that operates transparently, inclusively, and accountable.”

To find out more about Leila and why she is the right $Ape for the job, the Bored Ape Gazette reached out to her for an interview. Check it out below:

1. In a sentence or two what is your candidacy all about?

“Enhancing adoption without compromising the project's legacy, increasing awareness through education and network, and building a purpose-driven attention economy. Based on my extensive experiences in web2 and web3, I aim to raise awareness by introducing ApeCoin DAO to new networks, providing tools, and educating the market about the Apechain—the lifeblood of the Ape ecosystem.”

 

2. Why did you decide to run for $Ape office?

“My journey with the $ Ape community has been a testament to my deep-rooted interest in this space. I have been following Yuga's activities for 2 years, as I sincerely think that the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) collection was a phenomenon in the content creation space. I held Apecoin for 1.5 years and have observed what the community (DAO) is doing on Discourse. In April, I encountered a post by someone on X that called for talented individuals to apply to run for the elections if they believed they were qualified. I decided it is an excellent opportunity to meet new people, step out of my comfort zone, learn from others and utilize my skills to make a positive impact if elected.”

 

3. What makes you the right $Ape for the job?

“Let's start with my personal characteristics: I am bored but never boring 😀.  I am passionate about advocating for talent and visual art. Always up for a challenge, I'm eager to listen and learn. I am constantly curious to explore and create something disruptive. Professionally, I bring a unique blend of experience in gaming, marketing, governance, and new product development through partnerships. My extensive network in the Web3 and Web2 worlds is a testament to my qualifications, setting me apart from other candidates. I am skilled, educated, experienced, and ready for it!”

 

4. What would you like to accomplish during your term?

“I am deeply committed to the growth of Apechain as the core component of our ecosystem. I aim to expand the ecosystem and community by utilizing my networks in both Web2 and Web3. Additionally, I plan to increase awareness of $Ape through market-making techniques in the competitive token space, all for the benefit of our community. I want to onboard as many projects as possible to Apechain from various industry verticals such as gaming, retail, fashion, well-being, and entertainment. As much as I aim to grow a community of $Ape holders, making $Ape an attractive option to HODL.”

 

5. If you could pick any former Special Council member to be your advisor if you were elected to the Special Council this summer, who would you pick and why?

“I would say Yat Siu, as he was among the first in the $APE DAO governance. His vision of network effects and membership within Web3 is very similar to what I am trying to implement in my projects. His emphasis on culture as a centerpiece value of blockchain also resonates a lot with me. That's just to name a few. I believe there are many insights that someone can learn from Yat.”

 

6. Why is becoming an SC member important for you personally?

“Becoming an SC member is a significant milestone for me. It marks the next stage of my personal growth and validates the hard work I've put in so far. It's also a chance for me to set an example for other women and join those already making a difference. I'm excited to be a role model for my son and honored to gain the community's votes.”

7. Where would you like to see the DAO a year from now?

“A web3 accelerator that is the top choice for every developer. It operates transparently, is well-prepared to onboard hundreds of new projects to Apechain and scale, and has confidence in the project's future. A place to go if you are a talented creator and want to be empowered and feel welcomed.”

 

8. How did you get into crypto?

“I am and have always lived with eyes wide open to innovation. In 2017, I was intrigued by the fact that you can mine assets using just a GPU and finally own a piece of something. So, mining was the first step, followed by trading on an exchange, and here I am seven years later.

I was a tech geek from a young age, building PCs and coding at 12 as much as I had always have a capitalist spirit within me, so web3 seemed like a natural path.”

 

9. What do you like to do outside of Web3?

“Spending quality time with my family. Reading the thought-provoking books of Kurt Vonnegut. Constantly studying something new: languages, professions, cultures. Treasure hunting for unique vintage clothing and/or art pieces created by independent talents.”

 

10. Do you have anything else you’d like to add or say?

“DM me, vote for me, and let's go beyond the moon.”

ApeCoin DAO Contributors who would like to find out more about Leila’s campaign can reach out to her via Twitter @sal_lilu

 

 

The window to vote in the first round of the ApeCoin DAO’s Special Council election is set to open on June 6th and $Ape holders will have until June 12th at 9 P.M. EST to cast their coins in support their preferred nominees.

After the first round of voting, the top five nominees with the most votes will proceed to the second round of voting and officially become ApeCoin DAO Special Council candidates. The DAO will then conduct one more election round from June 13th through June 19th. During this second vote, the community will officially elect two new Special Council members.

Take a look at the full Election season timeline below:

The Bored Ape Gazette is working to bring you continued election coverage from the $Ape ecosystem. Stay tuned for updates!