Phyllis A. H. Breland is president of the Tri-State Consortium of Opportunity Programs in Higher Education and former president of New York State Higher Education Opportunity Program Professional Organization. She works closely with junior high schools, high schools, churches, community groups and organizations throughout New York that support access to academic and personal enrichment. 

Breland worked at Hamilton College from 2001 – 2020. During her tenure she served as the director of Opportunity Programs, Interim Director of Diversity & Inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer. She is a 1980 Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity graduate of Hamilton College, and received her Masters of Education in Instructional Design in 2003. 

Her work experience includes program development, marketing, empowerment/assertiveness training, volunteer recruitment, health education, quality assurance, motivational speaking, facilitating difficult conversations, and policy development.