Gaby Madriz

Chief Operating Officer

Gaby Madriz (she/her) is Chief Operating Officer at AAPD. She is a dedicated professional with a diverse background and a passion for empowering marginalized communities through values-based work.

Gaby began her career as a community organizer in Florida in 2007, fresh out of college. In November 2008, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she organized college students across the country as a National Field Associate and, later, National Organizing Director for the United States Student Association. During her years working in issue organizing and advocacy spaces, she built a profound understanding and appreciation for the importance of building community, power, and solidarity through intersectional organizing.

Using the many skills gathered as an organizer, Gaby then pivoted towards another passion – food. In the restaurant industry, she honed her management, operations, and HR skills, which she employed most recently when she returned to the non-profit sector in 2019 in operations and HR roles with The Nature Conservancy.

Gaby is uniquely positioned for her new role with AAPD as a versatile expert driven by a commitment to aligning values with action to create welcoming spaces that empower individuals and encourage meaningful collaboration. She looks forward to helping build upon AAPD’s foundation to foster sustained growth and optimal effectiveness.

Gaby was born in Costa Rica, raised in Miami, FL, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Florida. She most enjoys spending time with her wife and son in their home in Northern Virginia.