Antonio Stephens - Founder of Sip & Chat

Antonio is a storyteller, marketer, and community-builder passionate about fostering connection, healing and transformation. As the Director of Culture Communications and Talent Brand Marketing at Levi Strauss & Co., Antonio led the globally recognized Seen & Heard program, successfully engaging the global workforce and sparking meaningful conversations around inclusion, resilience, and belonging. This inspired his latest project, Sip & Chat.

Outside of his corporate work, Antonio hosts the podcast Life Chats with Friends, exploring identity, personal growth, and community. He has also contributed to documentary projects amplifying underrepresented voices, reflecting his belief in storytelling as a tool for connection and change.

A Los Angeles transplant, Antonio founded Sip & Chat to help communities recover and reconnect after the 2025 wildfires and beyond. These gatherings foster healing, dialogue, and personal growth through storytelling, wellness, and expert-led conversations. His vision is to create spaces where people can freely explore their emotions, share their stories, build connections, and thrive together.

Through all his work, Antonio is dedicated to amplifying the stories that unite us and creating a future rooted in connection, resilience, and belonging.