We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anna Del Castillo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anna below.

Anna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

One of the most profound experiences I’ve had in my work with Our Own Deep Wells happened last summer at our Soul Trust retreat in Lake Tahoe. We gathered with a group of seekers—leaders, caregivers, and community builders—who came not just for rest but for reflection. Over two and a half days, we wove together soulful conversations, storytelling, and silence, allowing the land and water to guide us.
One morning, as the sun rose behind the mountains, we formed a circle by the lakeshore. Each person held a small cup of water, reminding us of the Lake. We spoke aloud what we were carrying—grief, exhaustion, hope, longing—and then we looked each other in the eyes, said the words, “may you never thirst”, and we offered each person the gift of water, the gift of life. It was a simple act, but it carried the weight of generations.
One participant, a young activist who has been advocating for Palestinian rights, later told me that this ritual and the larger retreat marked a turning point for her. “For the first time in years, I felt like I didn’t have to hold everything by myself,” she said. “I let the water hold me.”
Moments like these remind me why this work matters. In a world that so often isolates us, spaces of deep connection—where we remember that we belong to something greater—are essential. Lake Tahoe, with its vast and unshakable presence, became a mirror for us all: reminding us that just as water moves and reshapes itself, so too can we.
May we never thirst. May we always return to the well.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Anna Del Castillo (she/her/hers) is a Mississippian of Peruvian-Bolivian descent, deeply committed to innovating at the intersection of justice, politics, and healing. As the Executive Director of Our Own Deep Wells, Anna leads an organization dedicated to fostering spaces for soulful conversations and personal growth. Check them out here: ourowndeepwells.com
Anna’s journey into this field was shaped by her diverse cultural background and a passion for social justice. Her work focuses on creating environments where individuals can engage in meaningful dialogues, reflect on their experiences, and connect with others on a profound level.
Our Own Deep Wells offers retreats, workshops, and resources aimed at facilitating personal and collective healing. By bringing together individuals from various backgrounds, the organization addresses the need for deeper understanding and connection in today’s fast-paced world.
What sets Anna and her organization apart is their unique approach to integrating justice and healing. They recognize that true transformation occurs when individuals are given the space to explore their inner selves while also engaging with broader societal issues.
Anna is particularly proud of the community they’ve built—a network of individuals committed to personal growth and social change. Through their work, they aim to inspire others to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and contribute positively to their communities.
For those seeking a space to explore their inner depths and connect with like-minded individuals, Our Own Deep Wells provides the guidance and support needed to navigate this journey. Under Anna’s leadership, the organization continues to be a beacon for those looking to integrate personal healing with a commitment to justice.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Transitioning from my role as Deputy Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) at the White House to founding my own organization was a profound pivot in my career. While serving in the Biden administration, I was deeply committed to advancing DEIA initiatives within the federal government. However, I reached a point where I felt that the institutional constraints limited my ability to fully live into my values and effect the transformative change I envisioned.

This realization compelled me to make the difficult decision to leave what many would consider a prestigious “dream job.” I chose to follow my calling and establish a space where healing and justice are at the forefront of the work. This led to the creation of Our Own Deep Wells, an organization dedicated to fostering soulful practices for wellness and social transformation.

This transition was not without its challenges, but it reaffirmed my belief that aligning one’s work with personal values is essential for authentic and impactful engagement. Stepping away from a prominent position to pursue a path more aligned with my convictions has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my career.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that success is defined by prestige and external validation. For much of my life, I believed that reaching a certain level of achievement—working at the highest levels of government, holding a prestigious title—was the ultimate marker of impact and purpose. That belief led me to my role as Deputy Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) at the White House, a position that, on paper, felt like the culmination of everything I had worked for.

But over time, I realized that while I was deeply committed to the work, I was also feeling constrained. The institutional structures of government limited the depth of healing and justice work I wanted to do. I had to confront an uncomfortable truth: just because something is prestigious doesn’t mean it’s right for you. My calling was leading me elsewhere, and I had to be willing to listen.

Leaving a “dream job” to start my own organization—one focused on soulful practices, healing, and justice—was terrifying. I had to unlearn the belief that walking away from prestige was a loss and instead see it as an act of alignment. Success isn’t about status; it’s about living into your values and doing the work that sets your soul on fire. Now, through Our Own Deep Wells, I create spaces where people can reconnect with themselves and their communities in deeply meaningful ways—work that, to me, feels more impactful than any title ever could.

This journey taught me that sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is redefine what success means on our own terms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ourowndeepwells.com
• Instagram: ourowndeepwells
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-delcastillo/
• Other: https://www.annadelcastillo.com/

Image Credits

https://www.sophiegreenebaumphotography.com/