Written By: Tracey Khan
Before the titles, the recognition and the platform, Ivy Rivera was simply a dreamer, curious, creative and searching for her place in the world.
“I didn’t know what my gift was,” Rivera said. “It kind of just came to me.”
Today, Rivera is a respected media personality at Power 105.1 (WWPR), a creative producer and a marketing strategist who has spent more than a decade shaping culture both on-air and behind the scenes. A proud Brooklyn native with Puerto Rican roots, she has built a career defined by authenticity, resilience and impact.
As creative producer for “The Angie Martinez Show,” Rivera plays a key role in shaping one of New York’s most influential radio platforms, helping drive conversations that influence culture nationwide. At the same time, she has carved out her own voice on-air, earning recognition for her ability to connect with audiences in a way that feels both real and intentional.
Ivy is pictured at Power 105.1 alongside “The Breakfast Club” hosts Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy.
Beyond radio, Rivera is the founder of Ivy Social, an event production brand focused on building meaningful connections between brands and communities through curated cultural experiences. Her work as a New York cultural ambassador with liquor brand Hennessy further highlights her influence, as she continues to create spaces rooted in diversity, empowerment and cultural exchange.
But her path to success was anything but linear.
Raised in a family deeply connected to music and entertainment, Rivera’s early influences came naturally. Her father worked in clubs, her uncle was a DJ and her aunt was both a singer and actress. Some of her earliest memories include watching music videos and making mixtapes with her older brother, moments that quietly shaped her love for storytelling, sound and culture.
“I just loved the creativity,” she said. “I didn’t necessarily want to be the artist, but I knew I wanted to be part of that world.”
Still, finding her place in that world took time.
Rivera initially pursued dance, studying from childhood through college, before facing a pivotal moment that would change her trajectory. Encouraged to pivot, in part due to doubt from others, she stepped away from what she once believed was her path and entered the world of blogging.
What began as an unstructured creative outlet soon evolved into something more intentional, even if she didn’t immediately recognize it.
“I didn’t even realize what I was building,” she said. “I was just doing it.”
That shift eventually led her to radio and television, where she transferred schools, secured an internship and later created her own show with an all-female team. Still, the climb was not easy. Like many pursuing careers in media, Rivera spent time working without pay, building her experience from the ground up while navigating uncertainty.
“There was a season of doubt,” she said. “When you’re doing all this work and don’t have answers for people who are asking where it’s going, it can be scary.”
During that period, expectations from family and society weighed heavily, especially as she pursued a career path that did not follow a traditional or secure blueprint. But Rivera found clarity in purpose.
She credits her older brother, who has cerebral palsy, as one of her greatest sources of motivation.
“I live my life in compensation for him,” she said. “I couldn’t let myself down, and I couldn’t let him down.”
That sense of responsibility and love became her anchor, pushing her to stay committed even when the outcome was uncertain.
Looking back, Rivera says she has no regrets about the pivots she was forced to make.
“Sometimes no is redirection,” she said. “I stumbled on my gift by being redirected.”
Now firmly established in her career, Rivera has become a powerful force in media, known for her ability to bridge culture, creativity and community. Whether she is producing influential radio moments, curating experiences through Ivy Social or representing global brands, she continues to move with intention and purpose.
Despite her success, Rivera remains grounded in the mindset that got her there.
“I had no idea where this would go,” she said. “I just leaned into what felt right.”
As she looks ahead, she is focused on expanding her impact beyond media, with plans to build businesses, develop products and continue creating opportunities that reflect her vision.
More than anything, Rivera hopes her journey inspires other women who may be navigating uncertainty or self-doubt.
“Start where you are and don’t overthink it,” she said. “Be encouraged by who you are.”
For Rivera, success is not just about visibility or titles, it is about growth, purpose and becoming the person you were meant to be.
“This is a woman who did a lot with a little,” she said of the legacy she hopes to leave. “A woman who didn’t need permission to be great.”
Images Courtesy of Ivy Rivera
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