Ladies Who Create Ladies Who Create – Season 2 Premiere: Redefining Creative Leadership with Rachel Gogel
On this International Women’s Day, we’re thrilled to launch Season 2 of Ladies Who Create with an episode that celebrates innovation, resilience, and the power of female leadership. In this inspiring conversation, our guest Rachel Gogel shares her unique journey—from growing up in the vibrant cultural landscape of Paris to making a remarkable mark as a creative leader in the U.S. Rachel opens up about her rapid ascent to art director in her 20s and how her diverse experiences have shaped her career.
She delves into the evolution of fractional leadership and explains how designing your time intentionally can transform not only your professional life but also your personal well-being. Rachel’s insights reveal the value of embracing flexible work models that empower women to lead, mentor, and advocate for pay equity while staying true to their creative passions.
Join us as we explore the intersections of culture, creativity, and leadership on a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women everywhere.
Tune in for a conversation that’s both a celebration and a call to action, inspiring women to carve their own paths and redefine what it means to lead with purpose.
About Rachel:
Rachel Gogel (she/her) is an independent creative executive whose career has followed the rise and dominance of an entire era of digital design. Since founding her SF-based consultancy in 2020, she has brought her expertise to both major companies like Dropbox and women-founded ventures such as Chicken & Egg Films. Currently serving as an interim creative director at Airbnb, Rachel brings strategic leadership to global organizations on a fractional basis while exploring the dynamic intersection of design, culture, and technology. Before launching her business, she built multidisciplinary teams at GQ, The New York Times, Facebook, and Godfrey Dadich. Passionate about nurturing the next generation of creative talent, Rachel divides her time between consulting and education. She teaches Career Design Lab at California College of the Arts’ DMBA program and offers an on-demand course through the School of The New York Times. Her commitment to mentorship extends through platforms like ADPList, Talk To A Creative Director, and AIGA NY, building on her role as AIGA SF’s Women in Leadership & Design chair (2021–24). A queer advocate championing marginalized voices, Rachel addresses industry inequities through speaking engagements, published writing, and active involvement in purpose-driven initiatives. Recognized on Forbes and Inc.’s “30 under 30” lists, she later earned a 2022 Webby nomination for spearheading the Departures rebrand. Her insights have been featured in PRINT, Creative Review, Fast Company, and Design by Women. After hours, you can find Rachel museum hopping, playing basketball, or plotting her eventual return to her beloved hometown of Paris.
@rgogel (IG, Threads, X)
rachelgogel.bsky.social (Bluesky)