RACHEL GULICK (THEY/THEM)

Rachel Gulick, a fifth-generation Iowan and life-long musician is a proud DMPS alumna of Roosevelt High School and Drake University graduate, double majoring in Sociology and Anthropology with a concentration in Women’s Studies. They own three small businesses: House Of Glass, REG Investments, and Green Peace Collective - The Art of Ag Permaculture Farm. Rachel serves on the boards of the Iowa Cultural Coalition and the Drake LGBTQ+ Alumni Association.

A founding volunteer with GR!DSM in 2013, Rachel initially taught piano and co-coached the band The Dark Unicorns. Over the years, they coached bands, taught drums, bass, and aux (synthesizer, percussion, and digital instruments), and created classes like “Experiments With Sound,” “Girls Rock Tech,” and “Listening: A Universal Language.”

In 2017, Rachel joined the GR!DSM Board of Directors, serving until 2021. In 2018, they co-wrote a grant through Variety - The Children’s Charity to fund the GR!DSM recording studio and, in 2019, helped produce the GR!DSM Summer Camp albums. They have since contributed to all subsequent album productions, including Carly Rene + The Fools, sarah tonin, Munk Rivers, and Bridget Bell. 

Rachel founded and chaired the initial Girls Rock Information & Technologies Program (GR!Tech), which later evolved into GR!T, leading to the creation of the GR!T Records Summer Camp & the GR!T Records label. In August 2020, they became Executive Director of GR!DSM, transitioning to Director of Development in January 2025.

Rachel’s passion & dedication for GR!DSM stems from their experiences as a young musician growing up in Des Moines and their desire to create safe, supportive spaces for youth to express themselves through the arts. Their passions include music education, intersectional feminism, social justice, permaculture, advocacy for LGBTQIA+ youth & public education in Iowa, and the continuous journey toward empowering our youth.

“What we do at Girls Rock is neither magic nor make-believe; we simply foster belief in oneself, and that’s pretty powerful work. When young people are in charge of creating collaborative spaces and can sound their path through the arts, real systemic change and courageous confidence take root. Although Women, Non-Binary, and Trans folx have often been left in the margins of music history, our contributions are anything but marginal.”

In 2021, Rachel received a Nation of Neighbors℠ empowerment award and grant, one of only ten presented nationwide.