Who is Angel N. Livas?
Angel N. Livas is a high-impact media executive, tech founder, and a 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient recognized for her role in redefining cultural equity within the digital landscape. As the Founder and CEO of the ALIVE Podcast Network, she has transitioned from a distinguished career in traditional broadcast journalism—with a “technical residency” at powerhouses like Bloomberg and AARP—to building a tech-driven ecosystem that empowers Black voices to move from “virality to viability.” A Howard University alumna and a 2024 Inc. Female Founder, Angel’s influence spans multiple sectors: she serves as the Chief Communications Officer for IndyGeneUS Bio, where she bridges the health equity gap through storytelling, and leads The Woman Behind The Business, a non-profit dedicated to scaling women-led enterprises internationally. Described as a “connector” who marries professional rigor with a deep spiritual compass, Angel is a TEDx speaker and NAACP Image Award nominee whose legacy is defined by dismantling gatekeepers and building the infrastructure for ownership and access.
The path from a traditional newsroom to the helm of a media-tech revolution is rarely a straight line; for Angel N. Livas, it has been a series of intentional pivots fueled by a singular realization: the systems of legacy media were designed for exclusion, not equity. There is a specific friction that occurs when a powerful story remains siloed because a gatekeeper holds the keys. Angel didn’t just feel that friction; she decided to dismantle the gate entirely.
“When it comes to connecting to the hearts of audiences, you must be relatable, transparent, honest… and quite frankly you have to know what you’re talking about,” Angel often notes. It is this blend of technical rigor and spiritual compass that has defined her trajectory from a Howard University student to a multi-award-winning founder and a 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
The Technical Residency
Angel’s journey began at Howard University, where she earned her BA in Broadcast Journalism. This was more than an academic pursuit; it was her “technical residency.” It was here that she internalized a fundamental truth: media is a service, not just a product. Howard didn’t just teach her how to broadcast; it taught her the weight of the community perspective and the necessity of personal empowerment through information.
Early in her career, Angel honed her instincts at global powerhouses like Bloomberg and AARP. For nearly a decade, she worked at the intersection of high-stakes journalism and mass communication, learning the mechanics of how stories shape public consciousness. However, the true “tipping point” of her career didn’t come from a promotion, but from a cancellation.
While producing a mental health show for a major network, the program was abruptly pulled from the air. Shortly after, Angel received a message from a listener who shared that the show had been his accountability partner in lieu of therapy he couldn’t afford. In that moment, the work stopped being about programming and became about access. The realization was stark: when gatekeepers decide which stories reach the public, entire communities are left without a lifeline.
From Virality to Viability
Driven by the need to change the infrastructure of storytelling, Angel founded the ALIVE Podcast Network. Her vision was clear: shift the focus from “virality”—which is often fleeting and extractive—to “viability.” She recognized a hidden pattern that many creators overlook: the centralization of discovery. While many platforms offer tools to publish, few offer the strategy to sustain.
Under Angel’s leadership, ALIVE has become a tech-driven ecosystem where creators are treated as founders rather than mere contributors. By integrating production assets and community-building, she ensures that historically marginalized voices aren’t just given a seat at the table—they own the room. Her work has not gone unnoticed, earning her recognition as an Inc. Female Founder in 2024 and a nomination for the prestigious NAACP Image Award.
This professional ascent is anchored by her philosophy of “cultural equity.” As Angel puts it:
“The path from traditional broadcast journalism to the helm of a media-tech company… is fueled by the realization that if I wanted to change the narrative, I had to change the infrastructure.”
This mindset also birthed The Woman Behind The Business, a non-profit movement she organized in 2016 to armor women entrepreneurs with the tools to expand internationally. What started as a vision in Washington D.C. has evolved into an international force, with chapters extending as far as the Bahamas.
Translating Complexity into Clarity
Angel’s influence extends far beyond the microphone. As the Chief Communications Officer for IndyGeneUS Bio, she utilizes storytelling to bridge the gap in health equity and genomics. For many BIPOC communities, scientific data can feel intimidating or historically exclusionary. Angel acts as a translator, turning complex genetic research into human stories that empower families to advocate for their own health.
Her ability to tailor a message is legendary among her peers. Kristie Heins Fox, VP of Communications at Comcast, describes her as a “pro – from planning and prep to delivery,” noting that Angel “inspired while also being relatable and left the audience with tangible advice to improve their lives and businesses.” Whether she is speaking on a TEDx stage or mentoring young girls at her entrepreneurial camps, Angel’s presence is defined by a “quick resolution approach” and an “impeccable attentiveness” that colleagues like Cherissa Jackson have come to rely on.
This impact is not a byproduct of her success; it is the intent. Angel views her role as a connector, helping others draw closer to their dreams by providing the transparency and honesty required for true growth.
“To me, the role of a founder isn’t just to build a company—it’s to build capacity in others,” she asserts.
A Legacy of Ownership
As Angel N. Livas looks toward the future, her focus remains on legacy. She is building a world where media is no longer something told about a community, but something owned by the community. Her goal for the ALIVE Podcast Network is for it to serve as a permanent catalyst—one that redefined who gets to be heard and who gets to own the future of media.
Her leadership philosophy is a call to action for every executive and creator: “If the platform only elevates the founder, it’s limited. But if it elevates hundreds of voices, it becomes a movement.” Through her work in tech, health, and entrepreneurship, Angel is not just telling stories; she is creating the infrastructure for a more equitable world.
