RESTORATIVE
DEMOCRACY
TRUSTED BY:
The Cost of Service Shouldn't Be Your Life
Spinning your wheels, putting out endless fires.
Constantly
questioning your impact.
Sacrificing your well-being and personal relationships.
You're running on empty managing a million tasks, but your own needs are always last.
You're exhausted from over-giving and always saying "yes" when you really mean "no."
You feel alone because no one truly understands the political fights you face every day.
The Real Problem: It's Not Your Fault.
This deep exhaustion is not a personal failure.
This isn't "just stress." You are not "burning out."
You are being targeted by a system built to drain you—a system that isolates powerful leaders like you to stop you from winning.
Unfortunately, too many dedicated leaders are stuck using survival strategies that have little to no real impact on their well-being or securing their wins.
You need a strategic system that will SECURE your wins, not DRAIN your life.
That's why I created the Restorative Leadership Collective:
to save you years of struggle and guesswork.
.jpeg)
"You are worth this investment! This coaching is the time and luxury every leader deserves to give themselves.
I came in paralyzed by imposter syndrome and the constant reactivity of big challenges, but through coaching I was able to move through the feelings of shame from my inaction.
It helped me re-assess my priorities, leading to renewed energy, commitment, and the realization that joy has to be an important part of every day."
Frequently Asked Questions
Think of this as high-level risk mitigation. The cost of one unmanaged crisis or burnout is higher. The Collective guarantees policy success, secures expert support, and teaches you to protect your energy. Enroll now for strategic longevity and tangible victories.
This is an investment in your development. Elected Officials can often use campaign funds. Employees can use office budgets or ask their employer/funder to cover all or a portion. Sign up now to explore your options.
This is not more work, it's strategic leverage. The Done-For-You frameworks and crisis support are designed to reclaim the 5+ hours every week you spend reacting. Join now to invest a fraction of time and gain back control.
No. You will have on-demand access to the recordings of all sessions, frameworks, and strategy calls for the entire 12 months. This is designed for maximum accessibility, ensuring the support is always there when you need it.
Our expertise is forged from 8 years as an elected official and 20 years fighting for equity. This provides a blend of high-level political strategy and healing (MSW/neuro-emotional literacy) unmatched by general executive coaches. Sign up today to leverage this unique combination.
Yes. We help you set and enforce firm boundaries without professional guilt (solving burnout), and provide a safe sanctuary and systemic support so you can lead authentically without fear of attack or isolation.
Yes. We call this a Collective Sanctuary. We combat "fizzle-out" through intentional, year-long community nurturing. The trust and depth of the community grows over 12 months, ensuring sustained, resilient support.
You must be in full agreement with our values. We have zero tolerance for any violation. If a participant breaks the rules, they will be immediately removed with no refund. We prioritize the safety of this trusted community above all else.
Absolutely. We focus on proactive, Done-For-You frameworks and restorative practices that prevent future crises. You constantly build leadership resilience and reclaim time, guaranteeing value long before and after a crisis hits.
Yes. The Restorative Leadership strategies apply to any leader seeking to stop surviving and start leading with power. The principles of setting boundaries and strategic confidence are universal across all sectors and career stages.
All self-identified LGBTQIAP2S+ women/womxn are welcome. While the space is designed to be invaluable for womxn of color to show up as their full selves, the strategic wisdom benefits all participants who value and support this environment.
YES! We are building a global movement and would love to have you!
Yes! Restorative Democracy offers one on one coaching, facilitation, consulting and other custom services. Please email us to discuss further: contact@restorativedemocracy
Email us at contact@restorativedemocracy
.png)
LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT GUARANTEE
We are confident that The Collective can be a game-changer for your leadership journey and long-term success. Your satisfaction is incredibly important to us, and we want you to feel confident in your decision to join. That’s why we offer a 14-day money-back guarantee.
If you join and find that the collective isn't the right fit for you, simply reach out within 14 days for a full refund—no questions asked. We believe in the power of these tools and community, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
We want you to be happy and if you aren’t, whether it’s on day one or day fourteen, you can get a full refund. All you have to do is email contact@restorativedemocracy.org and tell us “I’m leaving it.” and our processing team will send it back to you.
Karen Cardenas
"I went from feeling overwhelmed and detached to building true confidence, clarity, and agency in my work, finally breaking free from overthinking."
Anahid M.
"I was paralyzed and isolated after a challenging year, but these sessions helped revive my full identity, not just my roles as a mother or leader.
I feel empowered and less frozen by my circumstances."
Maria
"I now feel so relieved. It feels like a big weight has been taken off my shoulders, providing humanity to processes that often lack it.
Now I have a clear strategy and a place to anchor myself."
Shalece Daniels
"I was able to take the tools I learned and immediately apply them to my role and my personal life, getting to the root of my challenges.
I now feel significantly more centered and have clear boundaries."
RESTORATIVE DEMOCRACY TRANSFORMATIONS
Carlos Menchaca,
Principal
Carlos Menchaca is a civic strategist, public servant, and storyteller whose work centers on democracy, community power, and narrative change.
As a former New York City Council Member and Chair of the Immigration Committee, he led transformative initiatives like IDNYC, the nation’s most inclusive municipal ID program.
Carlos is also an experienced leadership coach, having trained public elected officials through re:power’s Progressive Governance Academy and contributing to the national Local Progress network.
He supports elected officials, movement organizers, and government staff in leading with clarity, values, and endurance.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, he brings a deeply personal understanding of border stories, belonging, and the resilience of migrant families.
Carlos believes democracy is restored when leaders feel grounded in purpose and communities feel truly seen.
Meet Your Coaches
Raquel Castaneda-Lopez,
Founder & CEO
Trust me, I GET IT…
I was the first Latina elected to the Detroit City Council, serving eight years.
I quickly realized no comprehensive support existed for Womxn of Color leaders fighting for justice. The constant systemic attacks and personal cost were unsustainable.
When I left office, I began my healing journey and learned restorative practices like somatics, mindful self-compassion, and neuro-emotional literacy.
I took these learnings and the stories of many women in leadership to create Restorative Democracy and its curriculums.
My goal is to save you years of struggle, so you can reclaim your time and wholeness.
Don't Just Take Our Word for It
Tasha Speed
Women's Democracy Lab
"Raquel’s dedication to each person, every challenge, and each session is truly admirable. She makes people feel seen, heard, and a genuine sense of belonging. Raquel is truly a gem, and her impact is invaluable."
.jpeg)
Christina Haswood- Former Kansas State Legislator
"Raquel gave us permission to just sit in the pause and absorb our thoughts. It was a powerful experience. And that is what we need in this environment in politics - to be able to stand our ground. I enjoyed being in her presence."
_JPG.jpg)
Kim Schofield
State Representative, GA
"Raquel's coaching style is absolutely relevant and powerful. I was able to have several 'AHA moments' that moved me past feeling overwhelmed, leading directly to streamlined processes and clear decision-making."
Cindy Gamboa
MI Poder Exec. Director
"This was an invaluable investment—not just for my professional leadership growth, but for my personal well-being. I gained the clarity needed to manage my team effectively and align my actions with my core goals."
We're with you throughout your journey
We support you no matter where you are in your journey—from advocacy, to running for office to serving as a public official—each cohort is tailored to meet your unique needs at every stage.
Public Officials Cohort:
Support after swearing in. Increase your impact, drive your policy agenda and build collective power.
Candidates Cohort:
Manage campaign stress, strengthen your strategy and maintain your wholeness throughout the campaign.
Democracy Workers:
A homebase for workers in the democracy space, from government employees to non-profits & philanthropy.
.png)
The Restorative Leadership Collective: A Coaching and Community Program
From Burnout to
Centered, Clear, & Confident
This is the place where leaders like you—values aligned women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ folks and other amazing leaders in the democracy space—stop putting out fires and start leading with wholeness.
*Don't worry. We'll never share your information with anyone.
Welcome to Your Support System
Get the tactical skills and restorative strategies to protect your wellbeing, level up your leadership, and increase your impact—while centering your wholeness.
Lead From a Full Cup: Show up in your role as your whole self, using simple restorative strategies that fuel your leadership for the long run.
Reclaim Your Time: Get back 5 hours a week by grounding your schedule in your well-being.
Wake Up With Clarity: Start every day focused with clear priorities so your time is protected and maximized.
What You Get:
Year Round Support
1. Join the Restorative Leadership Collective
2. Grow your leadership network.
3. Increase your impact & confidence
Bi-Weekly Live Q&A Coaching Calls with the Coaches
Bring your questions, problems, or thoughts you want to work through in our group coaching calls. We'll be there to workshop challenges and support you with practical advice you can use immediately.
Monthly Workshops
Each monthly workshop focuses on an important theme like Strategy, Base Building, or Leading with Wholeness, giving you a clear plan to lead with confidence and drive real change.
Guest Expert Masterminds
Expert-led masterclasses focused on your personal well-being from professionals in key areas like Legal, Financial, Estate Planning, Safety and Wellness.
Quarterly Planning Co-Working Sessions
Stop struggling with coursework alone. Get the Restorative Democracy's frameworks and curriculum implemented with focused, supportive check-ins and peer accountability.
One 1-1 Coaching Session w/ Coach of Your Choice
One 45min coaching session with the coach of your choice to workshop through your top challenge.
Community of Belonging and Support
Shed your armor, drop the performance and show up as your true self in a community of values aligned peers that understand the challenges of being on democracy's frontline.
Access to Restorative Democracy Knowledge Base
You get access to the exact templates, worksheets, and slides from the Restorative Democracy curriculum and workshops as they happen.
_edited.png)