Antonio Stephens - Founder of Sip & Chat

Antonio is a storyteller, marketer, and community-builder whose work spans corporate culture, wellness, and creative expression. Over the past decade, he has led global brand and culture initiatives, produced storytelling campaigns, and created spaces for reflection and connection.

As Director of Culture Programs and Operations at Levi Strauss & Co., Antonio spearheaded the globally recognized Seen & Heard program, engaging employees worldwide in meaningful conversations around inclusion, resilience, and belonging. His career also includes leadership in diversity and inclusion strategy, employer branding, and cultural storytelling—bridging the gap between individual experience and organizational transformation.

Beyond the corporate world, Antonio has hosted Life Chats with Friends, a podcast exploring identity, personal growth, and community, and contributed to documentary projects amplifying underrepresented voices. His work reflects a belief that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for healing, empathy, and change.

A Los Angeles transplant, Antonio founded Sip & Chat in 2025 to help communities heal, rebuild connection, and foster collective resilience in times of change. These gatherings blend storytelling, wellness, and expert-led conversations to foster healing, dialogue, and personal growth—creating spaces where people can freely explore their emotions, share their stories, and build meaningful connections.

Antonio’s purpose remains the same: to amplify the stories that unite us and to nurture a future rooted in connection, resilience, and belonging.