Hayley Antonian shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Hayley, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
In addition to my kids and family, and taking time for myself by exploring new hobbies and self-care practices (when time allows!), something that’s been bringing me a lot of joy lately is my work with New Horizons (www.newhorizons-sfv.org). This nonprofit organization advances the rights and life choices of individuals within the neurodiverse community (and their families) through innovative, and personalized services. I serve on the board and am currently the chairperson for their upcoming “Power of the Purse” event on November 16th, 2025. It’s been incredibly meaningful to help bring this event to life – not only because it’s a wonderful gathering of women coming together for a cause, but also because the mission is deeply personal to me and my family. Seeing the impact New Horizons makes in creating opportunities and community is truly fulfilling, and I feel grateful to play a role in that.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I grew up in Williamstown, Massachusetts, went to college at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and now live in Los Angeles with my husband and our three kids, who are 6, 9, and 12. My background and family life have given me a strong appreciation for both hard work and balance, and they’re at the heart of everything I do. After years of working at a larger firm (BWR), I started Scenario (a communications agency) with my two partners, Ron Hofmann and Steven Wilson. Nurturing relationships with journalists, shaping meaningful stories, and growing alongside inspiring clients, is a constant source of pride and fulfillment. Every day I have the privilege of helping brands tell their stories in ways that feel authentic, creative, and impactful. Over the years, I’ve worked with a range of founders and companies – helping them break through crowded spaces, connect with the right audiences, and build lasting visibility. From talent to start ups to legacy brands, from beauty and fashion, to wellness, tech and entertainment – I have done it all! What makes my work unique is that I approach PR as both strategic and deeply personal – I love uncovering the heart of a brand or founder’s story and finding the right platforms to share it. Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow our agency, strengthening partnerships, and finding new ways to spotlight female founders and journalists who are disrupting their industries in meaningful ways.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when my family moved (for a sabbatical year) from a small town in Massachusetts to Los Angeles for a new job opportunity for my dad (he ran the iconic Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel in Studio City for 14 years). As a kid starting middle school, it was such a huge shift – new school, new friends, a completely different pace of life. We went from a no stop light town (the first stop light came senior year of high school!) with a population of 6,000 to Hollywood. At the time, I didn’t fully realize how much resilience it took, but looking back I’m grateful for the experience. It taught me how adaptable we can be, even at a young age, and that we’re often capable of bouncing back and handling more than we think. When I reflect on it now, I can’t believe how open I was to change and how quickly I found my footing. That experience has stayed with me as a reminder of the strength that comes from embracing the unknown. I still look back on that time fondly and have friends from that one year in the city of angels! Who would have thought i would be back living here all these years later?!
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
There have been a few! If you had asked me this 12 years ago it would have been being diagnosed with a rare auto immune disease at age 10 and navigating the challenges and uncertainty of that illness. Answering it now, however – one of the defining wounds of my life has been navigating the journey of raising a child with special needs. Like many parents, I had idyllic expectations of what having a child would look like, and when those expectations shifted with my first born, it was both heartbreaking and overwhelming. There were seasons where I felt isolated, uncertain, and constantly questioning if I was doing enough, and why me?
What has helped me process and navigate the unknown has been finding support, both through organizations like New Horizons and through other parents walking similar paths. I’ve also learned to reframe my perspective – to celebrate progress, embrace small victories, and recognize the beauty in a different road than the one I first envisioned. I have one life and it can either be a constant “why did this happen to me?” or “why would this not happen to me?” I can make the most of it by giving my daughter all the resources and support she needs, while watching my other two children grow in empathy and kindness through her, as together we focus on living our lives fully.
Healing, for me, hasn’t been about erasing the wound, but about transforming it into a source of strength, empathy, and purpose. It has shaped how I show up for my family, my work, and my community, and it’s given me a deeper appreciation for resilience and connection. It’s not without its challenges or exhaustion, but it’s my journey—and I try to choose to walk it with strength, gratitude, and hope.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me is my family and the people I love. They’d tell you I prioritize showing up for the things that really count – whether it’s for my kids, my friends, my company, or my community. They’d also say I’m a multitasker by nature, always juggling a lot, probably over-committing, but with the goal of making sure the right things and the right people get my energy and attention. The juggle is real, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I’m most at peace when I’m away on vacation with my family, unplugged from work and the day-to-day craziness that comes with working full time and having three kids. It takes a lot for me to slow down (and to stop checking email), but when I do, it’s amazing. Traveling and exploring new places is both peaceful and energizing for me – here’s to (hopefully) doing more of it this year! My bucket list of travel destinations is constantly evolving:)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.scenariopr.com
- Instagram: @hayleyantonian
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-scheck-antonian-66112a23/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hayley.scheckantonian/
Image Credits
Rebecca Dourado Photography (for main image)
