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.
Breda served on the Little League Board for 12 years, with five of those years as Treasurer and Vice President. She served with the Pelham Recreation Commission for 14 years and as Chair for two of them. Breda is most proud of being instrumental in starting the recreational basketball league, which now has approximately five hundred boys and girls playing basketball during the winter months. She was a member of Pelham Booster Club and held the positions of Treasurer and Co-President during her tenure with this organization.
Breda is a great supporter of Pelham and its youth, with a strong emphasis and belief in promoting sport and all activities for Pelham’s children. She enjoys watching kids play all sports. Through her volunteerism, she has worked diligently to enhance the extracurricular opportunities for all children and teenagers in Pelham, and she has made a significant impact in the Pelham community.