Thomas Gatto joined Ostroff Associates in October 2024, with over a decade of experience in government relations, legislative affairs, and public policy. Tom’s ability to work across a wide range of state policy issues has driven impactful change in New York State.
At Ostroff Associates, Tom develops legislative and budget strategies for a diverse range of clients, with deep experience in the health and human services sector. He helps providers, advocates, and coalitions shape policy, secure funding, and navigate the complexities of the legislative and budgetary processes. He draws on his legislative experience to guide clients in advancing their work and obtaining the resources they need to serve New Yorkers.
Tom started his career as an intern for former Assembly Libraries Committee Chair Bob Reilly. He then served as Legislative Director to Assembly Member Aileen Gunther and Committee Clerk for the Assembly Committee on Mental Health, where he helped lead one of the most effective legislative offices in the state, overseeing the passage of more than 100 bills into law.
Tom has worked with behavioral health advocates to set up a dedicated state fund to combat stigma of mental illness, with disability advocates to achieve cost of living adjustments for nonprofit human services agencies, and with volunteer firefighters to ensure they have adequate insurance coverage for cancer treatments.
Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University at Albany and a master’s degree in International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He also serves as an International Elections Observer for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, contributing to global policy and democratic governance initiatives in North Macedonia and Uzbekistan.
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