At GBI, we believe in celebrating the incredible individuals who make up our team. Their diverse backgrounds, passions, and contributions play an essential role in driving our mission forward. In this staff highlight, we’re excited to introduce two valued members of our Human Resources team: Matt Reyes, HR Manager, and Gaby Davis, HR Coordinator. Each brings their own unique journey, skills, and enthusiasm to their roles, ensuring GBI remains a positive, dynamic, and thriving workplace.
Matt Reyes, HR Manager at GBI
Matt Reyes, HR Manager at GBI, hails from the East Bay Area in California. His journey to HR is far from traditional. A U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard veteran, Matt initially discovered his mechanical aptitude while working on jet armament systems, an unexpected skill he never anticipated. “It was a surprise to me that I had the mechanical aptitude to work on jet armament systems,” he reflects. His academic background was initially in Cultural Anthropology, but his desire to apply his knowledge and experience to create positive change eventually led him to HR. “I wanted to apply knowledge and experience to impact change for the better,” Matt explains.
While his academic and professional experiences shaped his career path, Matt considers himself “an artist at heart. And if you haven’t noticed, I like to wear hats—lots of different types too. Perhaps this is reflected in my personal and professional life.” Matt’s approach to life is all about embracing adventure and never making it boring. “Hats and spicy foods, that’s where you’ll find me,” he says.
In his role as HR Manager, Matt’s days are far from predictable. “A typical day is not a typical day at all,” he says. His work includes a blend of administrative support, policy guidance, skill development, and coaching staff and managers on best practices. Whether it’s navigating HR processes or mentoring employees, Matt’s focus remains on creating a positive and supportive work culture.
Matt’s transition to HR began when he started as a Trainer. His role allowed him to mentor new hires and coach managers, sparking his interest in human resources. “I started as a Trainer, which led to opportunities where I was mentoring new hires on how to build rapport and coaching Managers on best practices,” Matt recalls. From there, his passion for building company culture and supporting employees grew, eventually guiding him to pursue roles specifically within HR. “We spend a lot of time with each other… Why not enjoy that time together? Build something cool together?” Matt explains. For him, HR isn’t just about policies—it’s about cultivating an environment where people can thrive.
Matt joined GBI in 2020, and in July 2025, he will celebrate his 5th anniversary with the organization. Though he has experience in geological surveying, he admits, “I’d rather support conservation and environmental sustainability from afar.” He values the work GBI does and appreciates the efforts of those who work on the front lines. “Hopefully, I can help them feel supported in the ‘people needs’ realm,” he says.
One of Matt’s proudest moments at GBI has been the launch of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative. “The first experience that stands out to me was having the opportunity to get GBI’s DEI initiative off the ground,” he shares. Another highlight has been working with leadership on reviving performance evaluation tools, helping them become an active part of GBI’s growth and leadership development.
For Matt, the HR team plays a vital role in the success of GBI’s mission. While benefits and perks are key in attracting and retaining talent, HR’s impact goes much deeper. “HR is the oil that makes the machine run smoothly,” Matt says. He believes that HR helps ensure policies are effective, assists with managing employees, and promotes a workplace culture of development. “We help ensure policies work, assist in managing employees, and keep pushing toward a work culture that promotes and develops its workforce,” he explains. Matt views HR as the glue that helps everything run smoothly so GBI’s mission can continue moving forward.
Outside of his professional role, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and son. “We go on adventures, travel, experience life together, and even do nothing together. It’s the best,” he says. Matt is also passionate about creating through various forms of fine art, including drawing, painting, music, and photography. He’s a lover of sports—playing ice hockey, soccer, basketball, and snowboarding. And most notably, he has practiced martial arts for much of his adult life, continuing to study kung fu, capoeira, boxing, and eskrima. “I still practice martial arts to this day,” Matt says with pride.
Matt is deeply connected to GBI’s mission, particularly in the area of agency partnerships and support for public lands. Though Matt may not be out in the field, he still feels personally connected to GBI’s work. “I still feel the impact of GBI’s work and have a greater appreciation for the outdoor space and resources because of the work I do at GBI,” he says.
Gaby Davis, HR Coordinator at GBI
Gaby is a valued member of GBI’s HR team. A bilingual, first-generation Mexican-American, Gaby is also the first in her family to graduate from college. Raised in Nevada by immigrant parents, Gaby’s roots in hard work and perseverance run deep. “My parents immigrated from Mexico in search of a better life, and that journey has shaped who I am today,” Gaby says. She grew up in Gerlach, Nevada, a small town with a graduating class of just 15 students—the largest at the time. A fun fact: Gerlach is also home to the world-renowned Burning Man festival.
Gaby is a proud mother to three children: Mia (14), Maceo (12), and Lou Lou (4), her loyal dog. She is a self-proclaimed romantic, “I always knew I would marry my husband, even when I was just 10 years old!” she shares.
As HR Coordinator, Gaby’s daily tasks vary widely. She provides HR support to various programs, answers employee benefit questions, helps with enrollment, and handles HR emergencies as they arise. “There is no typical day in HR,” Gaby says. “It could be anything from answering questions about benefits to handling HR emergencies on the fly.”
Though Gaby’s initial career aspirations were in International Business and she had dreams of living abroad, her journey took an unexpected turn. Over the years, she found herself excelling in roles that involved training employees, creating efficiency tools, and helping coworkers navigate interpersonal issues. She often acted as a “family therapist,” mediating disputes and offering advice on communication. Reflecting on this, she shared, “All my friends and family always call me the ‘family therapist,’ and since HR is known as an unlicensed therapist, I figured I should look into this and decided to pursue a degree in Human Resources Management.”
She continued, “In all my previous roles, I always found myself naturally helping coworkers communicate better with each other or offering advice on how to resolve conflicts. That’s when I realized I wanted to help create a positive and supportive work environment for others, which ultimately led me to HR.”
Gaby is excited to celebrate her one-year anniversary with GBI in just a few weeks! She was initially drawn to the organization after discovering GBI on Glassdoor while searching for HR positions. The more she learned about GBI’s commitment to science, the environment, and its nonprofit status, the more she felt aligned with the organization’s values. “I had never heard of GBI before, but when I saw that it was a nonprofit organization deeply invested in science and the environment, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
One of Gaby’s most rewarding moments at GBI has been completing her first Open Enrollment project. She admits, “I don’t think I slept much the night before just wondering if I missed something.” But with the support of her team and her supervisor, Gaby felt accomplished after the project was completed. “The collaboration with all the Programs and the constant support from my supervisor, Matt, was my secret weapon for success,” she shares.
Outside of work, Gaby enjoys a variety of hobbies. She loves reading non-fiction books, listening to true crime podcasts, and running. Gaby is also a talented cook and enjoys making traditional Mexican dishes. “I’m always trying to cook traditional Mexican foods like my mom made—some of them are pretty intimidating! But it’s fun, and I love passing down those family recipes,” she says. Spending time with her children and husband is her greatest joy.
In her own words, she sums up her experience at GBI as: “I’m incredibly proud to be part of a team that works so hard to protect our environment and promote sustainability. I truly believe in the mission we stand for, and I’m excited to continue contributing to GBI’s success.”
Final Thoughts
The HR team plays a crucial role in supporting the organization’s mission and fostering a positive workplace culture. Their dedication to leadership development, employee well-being, and ensuring a supportive environment contributes significantly to the overall success of the organization. Their ongoing contributions are invaluable, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact they will have in the future.
