Maurice Owen-Michaane and Bridget (Breda) A. Bennett
Candidate Statements
Bridget (Breda) A. Bennett
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.
Maurice Owen-Michaane
Incumbent Pelham Manor Trustee and DPW Commissioner Maurice Owen-Michaane is a lifelong New Yorker. A resident of Pelham Manor for nearly a decade, he has woven himself into the fabric of the community with his young family by his side, embodying the passion and vibrancy that makes this area extraordinary. Maurice is honored to have served his fellow neighbors and residents as Trustee since 2020.
As a fervent advocate for Pelham Manor, Maurice has immersed himself in community service, demonstrating his commitment through his roles on the Pelham Manor Zoning Board and as a dynamic force in local organizations. He is currently a Leader for Siwanoy Cub Scout Pack 4 and Pelham Scout Troop #1, and a member of the Pelham Civic Association as the Annual Fall Gala Chair. He has also been an Assistant Coach for Flag Football & Pelham Little League, and a Site-Based Council member for Siwanoy Elementary School.
With a heart firmly planted in service, Maurice has been a steadfast presence in the Pelham Manor governance, currently making a difference as DPW Commissioner and a proactive Pelham Manor Trustee. His efforts to engage the community reflect his dedication to enhancing village life and services.
Maurice Owen-Michaane isn’t just active in civic engagement; he’s a vibrant pillar within both the Pelham Jewish Center and Huguenot Memorial Church with his spouse, fostering interfaith harmony and community spirit. His dedication to leadership extends to his alma mater, Hamilton College, where he’s not only an esteemed member of the Executive Committee of the Alumni Council but has also proudly held the mantle of Class President since his graduation year, continuously steering his peers with the same vigor he’s carried since 2003. A Lifetime Member of the National Eagle Scout Association, Maurice upholds the honor and integrity he embraced when he became an Eagle Scout, a testament to his enduring commitment to excellence and community service.
Maurice’s dynamic career in real estate as a broker and business owner is where his passion ignites. Serving the pulsating heart of New York City and the broader Westchester market, he brings a wealth of experience and a robust financial background forged in the fast-paced environment of Goldman Sachs.
His academic credentials are as impressive as his professional ones; holding a B.A. in Government from Hamilton College, Maurice is well-versed in the intricacies of governance and policy. Further sharpening his financial expertise, he earned an M.B.A. in Finance from the Zicklin School of Business Honors MBA Program at Baruch College, equipping him with the strategic insight to navigate the complex financial landscapes of real estate investment and management.