In this episode of First Person with Alejo Largo, I sit down with Rachel Gogel—a Parisian-born, San Francisco-based creative director, educator, and solopreneur.

Rachel has led design teams at GQ, The New York Times, Meta, and Airbnb. Today, she runs her own consultancy as a fractional design executive, helping companies set up thoughtful and impactful creative practices.

We talk about growing up in France, moving to the U.S. at 17, building a career in design leadership, and what it means to return to France to start a new chapter.

Rachel shares insights on identity, embracing change, designing her time, and aligning work with personal values. Her story is a powerful example of how our lived experiences—especially as immigrants or first-generation individuals—can shape what we build and who we become.

🎧 Watch now and follow the show for more conversations like this.

Let’s connect:📍 Instagram: @firstpersonpod📍 LinkedIn: Alejo Largo