Brett H. Mandel
Biography
Brett Mandel lives and writes in
Brett served as the Executive Director of
Philadelphia Forward, a citizens' organization dedicated to promoting
civic engagement to make
“I have lived in Philadelphia all my life, but I never felt I had the
ability to make a difference, until now. Your organization has shown me that
even the smallest candle can burn bright in the dark.”
Previously, Brett served as Director, Financial and Policy Analysis, in the
City of Philadelphia Office of the Controller where he managed the efforts of
the Financial and Policy Analysis Unit and oversaw consideration of a wide
variety of issue areas relating to municipal governance, budgetary policy, and
city government operations. In 2003, Brett served as a member of the
voter-established Tax Reform Commission.
Brett also served as Assistant Policy Director of the Philadelphia
Independent Charter Commission, analyzing reforms for the only post-1951
Commission empowered to place propositions on the ballot for voter
approval. Brett received his B.A. from
Hamilton College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude, and
his M.G.A. from the Fels Center of Government of the University of
Pennsylvania.
Brett is the author of Is This Heaven? The Magic of the Field of Dreams
(Rowman & Littlefield, 2002) a book that brings readers along on the
continuing pilgrimage to the Field of Dreams Movie Site where life imitates art
and everyday people find redemption and reconciliation in an Iowa
cornfield. He is also the primary author of the City Controller’s
Office book, Philadelphia: A New Urban Direction (Saint Joseph's
University Press, 1999), a vision of Philadelphia's likely future without
change and a comprehensive plan designed to make Philadelphia a preferred place
to live, work, and visit. The book received the National Association of
Local Government Auditors Special Project Award for 1999. Another book, Minor
Players, Major Dreams, (University of Nebraska Press, 1997) was written
from Brett’s perspective as an author, signed to a minor league baseball
player’s contract, to tell the inside story of minor league life.
In 2006, Brett was selected as one of the Philadelphia region’s top 101
“connectors” by the LEADERSHIP Philadelphia Connector Project, and
one of the Philadelphia Business Journal “40 Under 40.” In 2008, Brett was named one of the
Philadelphia region’s top 101 “next generation connectors” by
LEADERSHIP Philadelphia.
Brett is a product of the Philadelphia public schools (Northeast High School),
an active weekend athlete, and a passionate sports fan. A lifelong Philadelphia
resident, Brett serves as Commissioner of the Greater Philadelphia Men’s
Adult Baseball League, is a Board Member (Finance Chair) for the Smith Memorial
Playground and Playhouse, and is active in numerous community
organizations. Brett formerly served as the Vice President of the Center
City Residents Association and, as an active writer, Brett was a member of the
National Writers Union. Brett lives in the Fitler Square neighborhood of
Philadelphia with his wife, Laura Weinbaum, and three children.
Is This Heaven? The Magic of the Field of Dreams * Minor Players, Major Dreams
Contact Brett at brett@libertynet.org