Meet Our Staff

Rachel Gulick (They/She)

Executive Director

Rachel Gulick is a lifelong Iowan & musician, Roosevelt High School alumna, Drake University graduate double majoring in Sociology, Anthropology with a Concentration in Women’s Studies, and the owner of three small businesses, House Of Glass, REG Investments, and Green Peace Collective (AKA The Farm).

Rachel was one of the original volunteers with GR!DSM in 2013, and initially taught piano and co-coached the band, The Dark Unicorns. In subsequent years they went on to teach Drums, Bass, and Aux (synthesizer, auxiliary percussion, and digital instrumentation) and created classes such as “Experiments With Sound,” “Girls Rock Tech,” and “Listening: A Universal Language,” amongst others.  

In 2017 they were asked to join the GR!DSM Board of Directors and served until the Spring of 2021. In 2018 they co-wrote a grant through Variety - The Children’s Charity funding the creation of the GR!DSM recording studio and in 2019, helped record & produce both GR!DSM Summer camp albums, and has produced all subsequent albums to date. They founded & chaired the initial GRTech Program, which eventually led to the creation of GR!T Records - Creative Technologies Camp, and the GR!T Records, record label. In August 2020, they became the Executive Director of GR!DSM.

Their enthusiasm for GR!DSM stems from experiences as a young musician in Des Moines, and the desire to create safe, supportive spaces for youth to learn & express themselves through the arts. Their life’s passions are; music & music education, intersectional feminism, social justice, equity & liberation work throughout our communities, support & advocacy for LGBTIQQA youth, and the continuous journey of empowerment.

“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 one of ten Nation of Neighbors℠ empowerment awards and grants presented nationwide.

Meg Eastwood (They/Them)

Graphic Designer, Project Manager

Meg Eastwood became involved with Girls Rock! Des Moines as a camper in 2015 and hasn’t stopped talking about it since.

Over the years, they have stayed involved as a counselor, class instructor, and now as a graphic designer and project manager.

As a visual artist and a musician, Girls Rock! Des Moines allows Meg to utilize all of their creative skills to uplift young women and trans folks and to encourage them to express themselves through music. Art-making has always been an integral part of their identity, and their passion for it has shaped the way they connect with the communities around them. They’re incredibly grateful that this organization was here to nurture them as a young artist and they hope to pass on the skills they’ve been given to new generations for years to come!