Michelle Breidenbach is a reporter for The Post-Standard in Syracuse, NY. She has covered state government, politics and the Oneida Indian Nation since she joined the paper in 1997. Breidenbach was also a finalist for the 2006 Investigative Reporters and Editors award for her reports on the New York Power Authority. Breidenbach and reporter Mike McAndrew were also finalists for the 2006 Loeb award. Their work on New York’s public authorities has also been recognized by the Association of Capitol Reporters & Editors, the New York State Associated Press Association and the New York Newspaper Publishers Association.

Breidenbach graduated in 1994 from Kent State University and worked as a reporter for The Medina Gazette and The News-Herald in her home state of Ohio. She is married to photographer Willson Cummer. They live in Fayetteville, NY.