Thoughts from our Founder: Skye Ostreicher
I studied chemistry on a pre-med track in college, diving deep into how molecules interact and bond. Today, my work is about a different kind of chemistry—human chemistry. Instead of mixing chemicals, I’m mixing people—bringing together elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and experts to see what ignites. It’s still chemistry, just with more conversation and our goggles removed.
In The Room Media is a year-old company that bridges government, communities, and the public through storytelling. Working with me means controlling your narrative, creating impact through connection, and being in the room with people who share your passion.
I started this company to build positive relationships across communities and belief systems. Because, at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to feel safe, successful, seen, heard, and understood. Trust and respect are at the heart of getting there—yet, sadly, those values are disappearing in today’s political media landscape.
Both in-person and online, people prefer hearing from ‘real people’ over polished politicians or media personalities. They trust long-form conversations over soundbites, crave behind-the-scenes moments over curated reporting, and don’t just want to consume news—they want to engage and participate in conversation. Today, influence isn’t about the loudest voice or smoothest soundbite. It’s about ecosystems of trust—spaces where authentic conversations happen, where community is built, and where people feel they’re part of something real.
To make the change we need, the majority of people have to come together. Because real progress happens when we build bridges, not walls.
That’s the kind of chemistry I’m after—the kind that actually brings people together, not just for show, but to make real change…
State of the State: Albany
Did you know… That the National Association of Counties visited the US-Mexican border in El Paso, Texas? On the eve of Governor Hochul’s State of the State address in Albany, at Wellington’s at the Renaissance, Chautauqua County Executive Paul Wendel, Jr. was showing some photos from this experience… That Assemblyman Ed Ra is a triplet? One of his brothers was also in Albany for a Board of Elections conference… That former Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman is the NYS Commissioner of the Tax Appeals Tribunal? He travels back and forth between Long Island and Albany in this role…
At the Hilton Albany, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine created picture-perfect moments once his communications team, Mike Martino and Brendan Sweeney, got their hands on a battery-operated clip-on light to take pristine photos of him and other political personalities like Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney… While Vineyard Offshore’s Blake Hyatt was engaged in thoughtful dialogue about offshore wind and how it is perceived federally versus locally…
Newly elected Assemblyman Jordan Wright was on the scene with his chief of staff, Maurice Cummings, who was overheard reminiscing on his days working on Long Island, well before his Essex County Democratic Committee days… And Brooklyn-based consultant Jordan Barowitz was at the state capital with John Crotty of Workforce Housing Group, focused on discussions related to insurance for affordable housing…Amelia Adams, chief of staff to Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, (who is also a talented athlete) was in Albany as well, leaving behind her two cats at home…
During her address, Governor Kathy Hochul reminded us from where she came: her parents started married life in a trailer, and at age 13, she saved her $0.50 per hour wages to purchase a red plastic raincoat (we would have loved to have had her recreate that look during Style Across the Aisle at Gracie Mansion during Fashion Week this past fall… there’s always this year!) ((Elected officials model the runway wearing local designers from their districts: mark your calendars for September 2025, location TBD))
Criminal justice reform advocate Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs was overheard speaking about relationships he’s been able to build with other formerly incarcerated public officials around the country including Virginia House Speaker Don Scott – who was granted a Presidential Pardon by Biden last week – and Washington State representative Tarra Simmons…
Former director of state legislative affairs for NYC, Chris Ellis is now working with lobbying firm Constantinople & Vallone, spotted with BronxNet’s Michael Max Knobbe planning the future of community-based media… Newly appointed NYC Deputy Mayor Tiffany Raspberry was in Albany too, giving pointers to some political personalities who were planning their DC trip for the Presidential Inauguration. Her guidance: sneakers and hand warmers – and that once you’re there, you’ll be invited to a plethora of events both ticketed and non-ticketed…
She was correct.
Inauguration Weekend Activities in Washington, D.C.
We hear House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will be mailing some of his constituents their inauguration tickets – to keep as mementos of course – since about only 600 guests were permitted In The Room Where It Happened on January 20… Rep. Nicole Malliotakis however maintained her office opened at the Longworth Building for constituents to collect theirs in-person…
The Mayflower Hotel was the site of the NY GOP event, which overflowed from the main ballroom into Edgar Bar & Kitchen where former Rep. Carolyn Maloney was dining with John & Margo Catsimatidis and Todd & Liz Shapiro… Even a former Mayor of a small city in Alaska was there, wearing a bolo tie, and showing photos of his igloo home and sled dogs for those in absolute disbelief of his reported lifestyle… At the bar, formerly NY Catholic Charities now USA VP of government affairs, DC-based Luz Tavarez was spotted chatting with Westchester County Legislator James Nolan. Inside, Bronx GOP’s Mike Rendino was welcoming guests alongside his sister, NYC Council Member Kristy Marmorato…
The National Press Club luncheon was one of the more intimate events, with about 200 people in attendance including Karina Lipsman, Director of Government Relations for the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, former Miss Missouri, Leigh Valentine, founder of Valentine Beauty Products – snapping selfies with fellow beautiful women – and everywhere she went, Helen Comperatore received standing ovations, in acknowledgement of her husband’s life that was taken at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania…
Just an Uber ride outside the security zone, Spotify hosted an elaborate brunch bash celebrating the power of podcasts & new media… In The Room, guests like NY Post’s Jon Levine, Paradox PR’s Davis Richardson, and Beck & Stone’s Emma Jo Morris, enjoyed conveyor belt cocktails, caviar and a Bloody Mary bar complete with oysters, shrimp, mini burgers and more… a special musical guest, Riley Green, performed wooing the ladies. When asked, his security detail dropped unfortunate news: Riley is married.
Spotted out and about in DC: progressive activist and journalist Nomiki Konst who in 2019 ran for NYC Public Advocate, is creating a documentary film about former Rep. George Santos, and joined him in DC to capture him in and around events…Bitcoin entrepreneur and philanthropist Brock Pierce was first spotted in Albany wearing a bright orange hat, which he continued to wear in DC, sitting on the panel with Pennsylvania-based organizer Scott Presler who is credited with flipping the state red… He’s actively working on New Jersey now, planning for 2028… NYC Council Member Inna Vernikov being photographed by former NYC Council candidate, mother and author, Jacqueline Toboroff outside the Hay-Adams Hotel on Inauguration morning… and Upper East Side pro-Israel influencers Ira & Lizzy Savetsky that evening at The Liberty Ball…
Back in New York City…
Tucker Carlson shared an in-person, in-depth interview with NYC Mayor Adams at Gracie Mansion this week, sparking criticism from his own party, as well as stirring theories that he’d run for Mayor this cycle as a Republican to avoid a multi-way primary with opponents who would target him in a debate… Is there a world in which we have a general election this fall with Democrat Andrew Cuomo versus a Republican Eric Adams for NYC Mayor?
Last but not least… the Trump administration is getting rid of independent inspectors general and our own NYS Inspector General Lucy Lang is speaking up to defend the appointed role… Tune into CNN tonight 😉
BE IN THE ROOM THIS WEEK:
1/27: Museum of Jewish Heritage Holocaust Remembrance Day
1/28: LinkNYC’s LinkLocal Appreciation Breakfast: Celebrating Community Connections & Partnerships
1/28 Non-Profits Night Out
1/28: New York Jews in Politics
1/29-1/31: DA’s Association of New York Conference
Political Personality of the Week:
Zellnor Myrie, NYS Senator
Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie is a Brooklyn native representing the 20th Senate District. He has served in the New York State Senate since 2019, where he has taken leadership roles and achieved key legislative successes, including the passage of strong affordable housing and tenant protection laws, as well as comprehensive criminal legal system reforms.
Myrie authored the nation’s first state gun industry liability law in response to rising gun violence, targeting negligent dealers and manufacturers. For this and other efforts, he was awarded the Founders’ Award from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and named Gun Sense Leadership Award” from the Council of State Governments.
As Chair of the Elections Committee, Senator Myrie led historic reforms to New York’s election system, including the introduction of early voting, closing the LLC loophole, and simplifying absentee voting. He also authored the John R. Lewis New York Voting Rights Act, recognized as the strongest state-level voting rights law in the nation.
Myrie is inspired by his mother, a Costa Rican immigrant who moved to Brooklyn 40 years ago. He is a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, Fordham University, and Cornell Law School. Prior to his election to the Senate, Myrie worked as a City Council staffer. He was elected in 2018, part of a wave of Democratic insurgents who helped shift the balance of power in the state Senate.
Zellnor lives in Central Brooklyn with his wife, former Assemblymember Diana Richardson. Despite his progressive legislative record, Myrie focuses on competency and practical solutions in his approach to governance, aiming to address issues like affordable housing, gun violence, and electoral reform.Lawmaker of the Year by Everytown for Gun Safety. In 2022, he received the “20 Under 40
FAST FACTS:
- He’s Costa Rican
- Married to former Assemblywoman Diana Richardson (got engaged at SOMOS Puerto Rico!)
- Wrote and fought to pass the Clean Slate Act
- Former attorney at Davis, Polk & Wardwell
- Sneakerhead
- Scorpio
- Inherited his sense of fashion from his late Grandfather
- Running for Mayor of NYC
