SXSW London Stage
Rachel Gogel
Independent Design Executive & Educator
Rachel Gogel LLC
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, Meta, 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.
Design
United States of America