When fans think of Rocky Carroll — best known for his role as Director Leon Vance on NCIS — they often picture a confident, authoritative figure on screen. Yet behind the scenes stands someone just as impressive, accomplished, and influential: his wife, Gabrielle Bullock.
Gabrielle is not a Hollywood personality. Instead, she is a powerhouse in the world of architecture — a field where very few Black women have historically risen to leadership. Her story is one of vision, determination, and quiet but profound impact.
This article explores who Gabrielle Bullock is, how she became a trailblazing architect, her role as a champion for diversity in design, and the life she shares with actor Rocky Carroll. It’s a story of purpose, perseverance, art, and family — told in an accessible, friendly tone for readers who want to know the remarkable woman behind the famous name.
Early Life and the Spark of Creativity
Growing Up in New York City
Gabrielle Bullock was born and raised in New York City, spending much of her childhood in the Bronx. Growing up in a vibrant but challenging urban environment gave her a front-row seat to the realities of housing disparity, community design, and the importance of well-planned spaces.
She was a naturally artistic child. Drawing came easily to her, and she often crafted her own stationery and personal artwork for fun. One schoolteacher noticed both her talent and her curiosity and suggested, almost casually, that she consider architecture as a career.
For Gabrielle, that spark was all she needed. She went home and confidently announced to her family that she was going to become an architect — a dream nearly unheard of for young Black girls at the time.
The Road to RISD
Gabrielle Bullock pursued her passion by enrolling at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), one of the most prestigious art and design institutions in the U.S.
Her years there were demanding, competitive, and transformative. When she graduated in 1984, she made history as the second African American woman to earn an architecture degree from RISD.
Not only did she leave with credentials — she left with a mission: to design spaces that uplift communities, create equity, and improve lives.
Building an Extraordinary Career in Architecture
Starting Out During Difficult Economic Times
When Gabrielle Bullock finished school, she aimed to focus on socially conscious architecture — especially affordable and low-income housing projects. But the economic recession of the 1980s hit architecture firms hard. Many of the firms she worked for shut down or merged.
This unpredictable start, however, led Gabrielle to an unexpected long-term opportunity when she joined Perkins&Will, a global architecture and design firm known for innovation and socially responsive design.
Climbing to Leadership at Perkins&Will
Gabrielle quickly proved herself as a thoughtful, strategic, people-centered designer. Her ability to combine artistry, structural understanding, and empathy helped her stand out.
She went on to work on major healthcare, civic, and community projects, bringing intention and humanity into complex architectural challenges. One of her most notable early leadership roles was serving as project manager for the massive Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center — a project that demanded advanced design thinking and operational efficiency.
Her leadership was impossible to ignore. In 2005, Gabrielle achieved a historic milestone when she became the first African American woman — and the first woman, period — to serve as Managing Director of Perkins&Will’s Los Angeles office.
Championing Inclusion and Representation
In 2013, Gabrielle Bullock stepped into a groundbreaking new role: Director of Global Diversity at Perkins&Will.
This wasn’t merely symbolic. It was a powerful position focused on reshaping the culture of the firm and advocating for diversity across the entire architectural field.
She has worked tirelessly to:
- Increase representation in architecture
- Support minority designers
- Encourage inclusive hiring practices
- Foster a design process that reflects real communities
- Mentor young and emerging professionals
- Bring social justice issues into architectural conversations
Gabrielle believes deeply that diverse voices lead to better design — design that serves everyone. Her influence has helped shift the national conversation about who gets to build the world we live in.
Recognition and Influence
Over the years, Gabrielle Bullock has received major awards and honors acknowledging her contributions to design equity, leadership, and community-minded architecture.
She is involved in numerous organizations, advisory boards, and initiatives dedicated to improving access and opportunity in the design profession.
To many young architects, particularly women and people of color, she is a mentor, a champion, and a model of what’s possible.
Personal Life: Marriage, Motherhood, and Maintaining Privacy
How Gabrielle Met Rocky Carroll
Gabrielle’s life intersected with Hollywood when she met actor Rocky Carroll, long before NCIS became a global phenomenon. The two connected on shared values: discipline, hard work, kindness, and a grounded approach to life and career.
They married on May 25, 1996, beginning a partnership built on love, mutual respect, and balance.
A Strong, Private Partnership
Despite Rocky’s fame, the couple keeps their private life out of the spotlight. They prefer to focus on their family and careers rather than on publicity.
Gabrielle Bullock has joked that if someone searches her name online, they often find information about Rocky instead — a humorous reminder of how little she chases attention.
Their marriage reflects a genuine partnership: each successful in their own worlds, supportive of one another, and committed to prioritizing family values.
Motherhood and the Adoption of Their Daughter
Gabrielle and Rocky adopted their daughter, Elissa, as a newborn. Becoming a mother added an entirely new dimension to Gabrielle’s life.
She openly shared that she paused work travel for years to ensure she could be fully present during her daughter’s early childhood.
As both an accomplished professional and a dedicated mother, Gabrielle demonstrates that it’s possible — though challenging — to honor both personal and professional aspirations.
Why Gabrielle Bullock’s Story Matters
A Trailblazer in an Underrepresented Field
Architecture is one of the least diverse professions in the U.S., especially when it comes to Black women. Gabrielle’s journey — from a young girl in the Bronx to a leader at a global design firm — is groundbreaking.
Her life shows what representation can achieve: more inclusive design, more equitable opportunities, and more inspiration for the next generation.
Designing with Purpose
Gabrielle Bullock constantly emphasizes that architecture should serve humanity, not just aesthetics. The spaces we live, work, heal, and grow in should reflect dignity, fairness, and community needs.
Her career has embodied that philosophy.
A Model of Balance and Bravery
Handling a demanding leadership role while nurturing a family — all while pushing for systemic change in a complex industry — makes Gabrielle’s story deeply inspiring.
She has built not only structures and strategies, but also pathways, opportunities, and legacies.
Looking Ahead: Gabrielle Bullock’s Ongoing Impact
Gabrielle’s career is still thriving. She continues:
- Leading diversity initiatives
- Overseeing major architectural projects
- Mentoring new generations of designers
- Advocating for social justice in architecture
- Representing a powerful voice for inclusion in the design world
Her legacy is still unfolding — not just in buildings, but in people, policies, and possibilities.
Conclusion
Gabrielle Bullock may be known in some circles as Rocky Carroll’s wife, but she is far more than a celebrity spouse. She is a pioneering architect, a diversity leader, a community advocate, a mentor, an artist, a mother, and a quiet revolutionary in her field.
Her story illustrates the power of passion, representation, and purposeful design. Whether designing hospitals, shaping firm culture, or raising her daughter, Gabrielle Bullock approaches everything with intention and heart.
Her influence reaches far beyond Hollywood — extending into cities, communities, architectural studios, and the lives of future designers inspired by her example.
