She belongs to the Eagle-Killerwhale Clan within Tlingit society, with family roots in the Killerwhale Chasing Seal House of Angoon, Alaska.

Her Tlingit name is Yáx̱ Ádi Yádi, meaning Valuable Child, honoring Alaska Native Sisterhood (ANS) activist Amy Hallingstad.

Alyssa was a Cultural Ambassador for Sealaska Heritage Institute.

She is the CEO of Culture Story, a media company showcasing Native and Indigenous communities, and is a guest host for “Native America Calling.”

Alyssa is the first Native Contributor for MSNBC and a multi-platform host, executive communications coach, entrepreneur, producer, speaker, and author.

She graduated with honors from Stanford University in 2012 and, as Miss Alaska USA, was a top 10 finalist at Miss USA 2017.