Her Story
About Rachel L.
Rachel L. Menchaca serves as Vice President of Operations for Empower Recovery, a behavioral health organization delivering sober living and recovery services throughout the Denver Metro area, from Thornton to Littleton, Colorado. In this role, she oversees multiple recovery houses with a particular emphasis on expanding dedicated resources for women, currently managing two women's homes with plans for a third location by September 2026. Her responsibilities span a full continuum of care, including Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), individual and group therapy, and peer coaching, all grounded in her bachelor's degree in business, QBHA certification, and hands-on experience as a peer coach.
Rachel's professional mission is deeply rooted in her own lived experience. More than two decades ago, she overcame addiction, homelessness, and trauma, and that transformation now fuels her dedication to helping other women, particularly those who have endured abuse, trauma, and adversity, rebuild their confidence and recognize their inherent worth. Her personal journey deepened further through the loss of her sister to cancer and her own subsequent cancer diagnosis, which required intensive treatment and taught her the value of humility, vulnerability, and leaning on a strong support system. These experiences continue to shape her compassionate, community-centered approach to recovery work.
Beyond her career, Rachel maintains a balanced and adventurous lifestyle, staying active through regular workouts and hiking across Colorado's landscapes, while also embracing bold experiences like skydiving. She draws strength from prayer and reflection, practices that help her stay grounded and grateful for her health, relationships, and recovery. An active member of Delta Mu Delta International Honors Society and a supporter of Cornerstone, a nonprofit dedicated to individuals in recovery, Rachel remains committed to creating pathways of healing and empowerment, both in her professional work and in the broader community she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rachel L.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to trusting the process, even when it felt unfamiliar or difficult, and consistently redirecting my energy away from negative situations and toward positive, constructive goals. Making the right choice day after day, even in small ways, is what allowed my life to come together over time.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this field that the hardest part is often not being able to see your own worth while you're still in the middle of struggle. So much energy goes into simply surviving difficult circumstances, whether that's addiction, homelessness, or abusive relationships, and my advice is to take that same energy and redirect it into something good. It won't feel natural at first because trusting the process is a foreign concept to many people, but if you commit to making the right decisions consistently, your life will come together.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Humility, vulnerability, and community are the values that matter most to me, both personally and professionally. Facing my own addiction, the loss of my sister to cancer, and my own cancer diagnosis taught me the importance of accepting support rather than trying to carry everything alone. Those same values guide how I show up for the women I serve, helping them recognize their worth and build the confidence to accept love, support, and proper care.
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