Our Leadership
Building Community
Nooks and Socials leaders play a vital role in creating meaningful connections and welcoming environments where people feel seen, valued, and encouraged. Through intentional gatherings and genuine relationships, they help build community, foster conversation, and guide others toward deeper engagement and growth. Their leadership turns simple moments into lasting impact.
Leadership
Adam Holtzer
Founder
Town:
Dix Hills
Fun Fact:
I’m really good and hide and seek; my favorite board games are monopoly and backgammon.
Business & Profession:
Nooks & Socials
Adam founded Nooks & Socials to build an alternative from traditional “networking.” A space where business professionals feel heard, seen, connected and supported, where help first and positive energy are an abundance.
Russ DiGrigoli
Managing Director
Town:
Kings Park
Fun Fact:
I once lit my hiking shoes on fire in the middle of the snow-covered High Sierras 50 miles from civilization…woops!
Business & Profession:
DiGrigoli Consulting | Fractional Integrator & 401(k) Plan Specialist
Russ is a Long Island-based Fractional Integrator who helps small business founders translate vision into executable priorities. With background as a Physics Teacher, Business Analyst, and Financial Advisor, he brings rare analytical depth and clarity to every engagement.
Sarah Pew
Director of Operations
Town:
East Setauket
Fun Fact:
I spend my winter nights on puzzles and summers on long bike rides.
Business & Profession:
Sarah Pew Consulting | Operations Strategist
Sarah Pew is an operations strategist who turns chaos into clarity. With more than 15 years of experience partnering with founders and executive teams, she helps growing companies translate big ideas into focused priorities, scalable systems, and processes that actually work. A former Chief of Staff and operations executive, Sarah works at the intersection of strategy and execution—building dashboards, aligning teams, and turning vision into measurable action.
AJ Sonnick
Director of Marketing
Town:
Smithtown
Fun Fact:
I’m the fourth “A.J.” Sonnick, so I’ve had a lifetime of practice answering, “which one?"
Business & Profession:
ONE18 | CEO & Founder
AJ is a CMO, strategist, and agency owner with 15+ years of experience helping organizations grow through marketing, sales and operations. He works closely with businesses to identify what’s working, what’s not, and lead the strategy needed to scale and strengthen their brand.
Eric Miller
Director of Customer Service
Town:
East Northport
Fun Fact:
I love learning other’s fun facts.
Business & Profession:
North Star | Career Coach & Total Talent Advisor
Featured in Forbes, Fortune, Gartner & LinkedIn, Eric Miller is the founder of north star and former Global Head of Talent at Paramount Pictures and Madison Square Garden. With 25+ years of experience, Eric is now building the next generation of talent, helping students and early career professionals unlock their potential.
Michael Strahl
Strategy Advisor & Community Connector
Town:
Commack
Fun Fact:
I’ve hosted a 17 day health conference for the past four years.
Business & Profession:
UStaff360 | Virtual Staffing
Michael Strahl is the founder of Ustaff360, a virtual staffing company helping businesses scale with top-tier remote talent. He builds agile teams that drive growth efficiently. An extrovert, he enjoys exploring ideas, practicing yoga, cooking, and spending time with his two children.
Jamie Rader
Member Engagement Director
Town:
Woodbury
Fun Fact:
I love taking barre classes 5-6x a week.
Business & Profession:
RAD Showroom | Sales Director & Business Development
Jamie is a results-driven sales professional with 22+ years of top-tier revenue performance specializing in startup growth and expansion. She is a fearless, self-motivated leader with a proven ability to increase profits, exceed sales goals, and manage diverse customer portfolios. Jamie is known for exceptional relationship building that drives long-term client loyalty and repeat business. She is highly collaborative within team environments, consistently executing company vision and strategy at an elite level.
Our Community Guides
Dan Waldeck
Community Guide
Town:
Amityville
Fun Fact:
My first concert was the Rolling Stones’ Voodoo Lounge Tour in 1994 at Giants Stadium
Business & Profession:
The Liberty Company | Insurance Agent
Centered around his wife and three daughters, family and community are Dan’s driving force. As a Partner at The Liberty Company, he provides experienced insurance guidance to small businesses, individuals, and families.
Dante Montovano
Community Guide
Town:
Huntington
Fun Fact:
I read one book every month.
Business & Profession:
Seven Circle Media | Marketing & Web Design
Dante Montovano, founder and CEO of Seven Circle Media since 2016, leads a results-driven marketing and web design agency. Recognized as a top Wix partner, he has helped thousands of businesses grow and earned national media recognition for digital innovation.
Devra Prywes
Community Guide
Town:
Dix Hills
Fun Fact:
I’m an aspiring gardener.
Business & Profession:
Wheelhouse Marketing | Marketing Strategy: Positioning, Pipeline, and Go-To Market
Devra is the co-founder of Wheelhouse Marketing and a fractional CMO who turns marketing into a revenue center. This Bay Area native is also a mom of teen boys, cooking enthusiast, and work-in-progress gardener.
Stacy Simbrom
Community Guide
Town:
East Northport
Fun Fact:
I was the Marketing Director and Special Events Coordinator at Sunrise Mall in the 1980s
Business & Profession:
Reflection Project | Holistic Integration Coaching
Suburban Hippy at heart, Stacy is the founder of a Holistic Integration Coaching Practice devoted to helping others live more aligned, meaningful lives. She shares her days with beloved rescue dogs, a deep love of nature, and an ever-curious passion for learning and growth. As a mother to her son, she is grounded in what truly matters—connection, presence, and purpose. Stacy’s goal is simple yet profound: to create a simply lovely life, rooted in authenticity, joy, and soulful impact.
Scott Schneider
Community Guide
Town:
East Setauket
Fun Fact:
Can drive the golf ball 300 yards Happy Gilmore style.
Business & Profession:
Scotts Knots - Pretzel Engineer
I love creating products that help connect us to nature, community, and health. I spend most of my free time on adventures with my dogs and partner Allison.
