Live Broadcast of CT Mirror’s “In The Room” with Erick Russell

Erick Russell is Connecticut’s 84th State Treasurer on January 4, 2023.

Born and raised in New Haven, Russell adopted the worth ethic and financial responsibility of his parents by working in the family’s small convenience store. He would become the first in his family to graduate college, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Haven and continued his education at the University of Connecticut School of Law. After law school, Russell joined the prestigious Connecticut law firm of Pullman & Comley where he was a partner in the firm’s Public and Private Finance Group.

As treasurer, Russell administers Connecticut’s pension funds, oversees the state’s debt and cash management, collects and returns unclaimed property, and manages the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), a 529 plan that helps students and families save for higher education. In his first term, Russell successfully secured funding to launch CT Baby Bonds, a first-in-the-nation program to combat generational poverty.

Russell continues to advocate for people traditionally left out of the political process and denied economic opportunity. He is prioritizing financial literacy, sound fiscal policy and necessary statewide investments that maximize resources while growing the economy and combating systemic inequities.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Russell has embraced the role of mentor, particularly for young Black and LGBTQ people. In 2022, he became the first Black out LGBTQ person in American history to win an election for statewide office.

Russell continues to live in New Haven with his husband, Christopher Lyddy.

John Dankosky is the Director of News and Audio, and a frequent guest host of the popular public radio program Science Friday.

Dankosky came to science journalism through his coverage of climate change and environmental issues with Connecticut Public Radio and the New England News Collaborative.

He's also covered national, state and local news as co-host of the national talk program America Amplified, and founding host of the regional magazine show NEXT, along with statewide programs Where We Live and The Wheelhouse. He was there at the start as a "founding friend" of the Connecticut Mirror, where he hosts live events and podcasts, including Untold with Mercy Quaye.

A regular contributor to NPR, Dankosky has worked with the network to build journalism collaborations, and is now heading up Science Friday's State of Science Reporting Network, bringing together great science reporting from across the country.

Dankosky has produced and edited national award-winning long-form documentaries on mental health and care for the elderly, and has also reported hundreds of short segments for NPR and public radio stations, ranging from gun policy to basketball to virtual reality.