Editor’s note: This biography of Village of Pelham Manor Trustee Breda Bennett, who is running for reelection March 19, was provided by the Pelham Manor Republican Party.
Deputy Mayor Breda Bennett is a longtime Pelham Manor resident and incumbent Village Trustee who currently serves as Police Commissioner. She is an integral part of Pelham Manor’s executive leadership team and is committed to the Village’s delivery of premier services in an open, transparent and fiscally responsible manner.
Breda was born and raised in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx, attending St. Barnabas Grammar and High Schools. She graduated from Lehman College, receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Education and Corporate Training. Upon graduation, she taught at the Career Blazer Learning Center in NYC, where through her dedication to the students and her constant work, updating and expanding the curriculum, she rose to the position of Director of Education. After having her first child, she took a position as an adjunct lecturer at Lehman College, teaching in the Secondary Education Department and then moved to Westchester Community College, teaching classes in the Business Department.
When Breda had her sixth child, she turned her focus to working with Tom, her husband, on their home building business. Breda and Tom moved to Pelham Manor in 1997 and have since raised their six children here. Her children have all gone through the Pelham Schools, attending Prospect Hill, the Middle School and the High School, and have been very active, playing soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, rugby, and golf to mention a few!
In 2018, Breda had the distinct honor of being elected as Village of Pelham Manor Trustee. She was delighted to be re-elected in 2020 and 2022 and is proud to serve as Police Commissioner. Working with Chief Thomas Atkins, Lieutenant Greg Sancho and all the officers of the PMPD has been a tremendous honor for Breda. She feels that we are extremely fortunate to have a highly trained, accomplished, and dedicated police force, and having the opportunity to work with them is a privilege.
While running their building business with Tom and raising the children, Breda has also been an incredibly engaged member of the community. She began her volunteerism in Pelham with PACT, serving on its board for five years. She served as a Prospect Hill Site-Based Council member for four years and was a Girl Scout leader for five.