About

Dr. Tonya Breland is a dynamic and visionary leader with a personal mission to make a difference in the lives of others. Deeply committed to justice and equity, she brings a powerful combination of lived experience, research, and leadership across local and state levels to help organizations confront challenges, strengthen capacity, and inspire transformation. She has committed her life's work to empowering individuals and audiences to live on purpose, lead with justice and create lasting impact.
 

A nationally celebrated educator, Dr. Breland is a proud recipient of the prestigious National Milken Educator Award. Her career includes distinguished service as a school and district leader, Director of Professional Learning, and Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Education. She is the Founder, President, and CEO of TESO Consulting Group, where she leads efforts to cultivate high-performing environments through leadership development, strategic planning, and organizational transformation.
 

Dr. Breland lends her expertise to several impactful boards, currently serving on the Rowan University Foundation Board, and as Vice President of both Eskolta School Design and the New Jersey Tutoring Corps. She is also the current President of the Coalition of 100 Black Women, Central New Jersey Chapter. Her previous appointments include advisory and leadership roles with Women of Color in Pharma, the New Jersey School Boards Association Equity Council, the Diverse and Learner Ready Teacher Workforce Committee, and the Interagency Taskforce to Combat Youth Bias, in addition to chairing the Statewide Professional Learning Committee.

 

An accomplished author, Dr. Breland has written Fight to Make It Happen: 6 Power Principles to Fulfilling Your Purpose & Living Your Dreams, the children's chapter book Mykayla Mitchell Moves Away, and co-authored both an E-book for Organizational Leaders and her newest release, Today's Classroom: Practical Strategies for Nurturing Greatness in Your Diverse Learners.

Dr. Breland is a proud alumna of Howard University, holds a Master’s from Nova
Southeastern University, and earned her Doctorate in Leadership and Innovation from New York University.
 

She has been married to her husband for 35 years, and is the mother of two adult children,  and is the proud G-ma to her grandson. She enjoys singing, taking long walks, listening to books and traveling abroad.