Rachel Gogel has led creative teams at The New York Times, Meta, and Godfrey Dadich, but these days she runs her own solo consultancy as a fractional design executive. She's influenced many exciting projects for her clients — from launching brand identity systems for new publications to shaping a company’s design culture. As a people manager, educator, and queer leader, Rachel is committed to fostering inclusive spaces that unlock human potential.

As many reexamine their relationship to work, we’ll learn from Rachel how to build a creative business on your own terms while crafting a career encompassing both professional and personal fulfillment.

Rachel Gogel (she/her) is a Parisian creative director, designer, speaker, mentor, and educator whose career has followed the rise and dominance of an entire era of digital design. She runs her own small consultancy as an independent design executive and has led major brand initiatives at GQ, The New York Times, Meta, GDP, Airbnb, Departures, and Dropbox. Now working as a solopreneur, she has influenced many exciting projects for her clients — from launching editorial publications from scratch, to leading org design efforts, to designing TV show pitch decks for influential public figures, to building brand systems for global media and entertainment companies in a fractional capacity. When she’s not consulting, she teaches at the California College of the Arts (CCA) and runs the Women in Leadership & Design (WILD) initiative as Chair and AIGA SF Board Member. Nominated for a 2022 Webby for her work on Departures, Rachel has also been recognized by Inc. as one of 2016’s “30 under 30 Movers and Shakers” and by Forbes as one of 2015’s “30 under 30” in media. She has been featured in publications such as PRINT Magazine, Design by Women, Fast Company, among others. After hours, you can find Rachel museum hopping, taking baths, or relaxing with her wife at home in San Francisco.

AMA: Rachel Gogel, leading creative teams and going independent