About Us
Meet our collaborative and supportive team.
Unified Efforts, Outstanding Outcomes.
Every Project, Every Time.
Vanessa Burke, a seasoned Certified Public Accountant, has dedicated over three decades to empowering individuals and organizations through her unwavering commitment to service. She founded a consulting practice rooted in the principle of placing people above profits, assembling a team of experts who help clients navigate complex financial challenges with confidence and clarity. Her deep experience in public sector and not-for-profit auditing, accounting, consulting, and finance has positioned her as a trusted guide and strategic advisor, capable of steering organizations toward sustainable success.
Her career spans diverse industries—including local governments, insurance, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, distribution, and not-for-profits—where she has served as CFO and Controller. Her leadership has been instrumental in managing municipal bankruptcies, financial restructurings, and turnarounds for distressed entities. Her early foundation at nationally recognized firms such as Grant Thornton LLP, Moss Adams LLP, and PricewaterhouseCoopers solidified her expertise in government and nonprofit sectors. In 2012, she became Chief Financial Officer for the City of Stockton, leading nearly 100 employees through its Chapter 9 bankruptcy and providing pivotal testimony during trial proceedings.
As a frequently sought-after speaker, she has presented on a variety of technical and non-technical topics for the ASCPA, CalCPA, Women in Public Finance, CSU, San Francisco, Santa Clara University, CSMFO, League of California Cities, and Beta Alpha Psi. Licensed as a CPA in the State of California (#67673), her commitment to service and leadership is evident throughout her distinguished career and accomplishments.
Russ Branson is the founder of Russ Branson Consulting. Russ works with local governments and special districts addressing difficult financial issues facing municipal governments today. Russ has developed budget forecasting models, performed financial condition analysis, and evaluated fees and special tax districts for his city, county, and special district clients. Prior to starting his own firm, Russ was a Director for Public Financial Management (PFM) responsible for overseeing a range of services including the development of long-range financial plans, ensuring sustainable financial health, and optimizing municipal performance.
Russ spent 13½ years with the City of Roseville, California in financial leadership positions, including Assistant City Manager and Treasurer, overseeing Finance and Administrative Services. The City of Roseville is a full-service City which also has electric, water, wastewater, and solid waste utilities.
Before joining the City of Roseville, Russ was a principal with Economic and Planning Systems (EPS), an urban economics consultancy, where he spent more than a decade providing clients with services including impact fee studies, infrastructure financing plans, and the establishment of special taxing districts. He spent the early years of his career with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.
Saadiah Ryan-Awahid brings a robust and complementary skill set including local government budget, accounting and reporting, government staff development, process improvement, internal controls, financial analysis, external audit, financial system implementation, operational audit, information system audits and Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance.
Saadiah’s journey started in the state of New Mexico as an entry level accountant and in internal audit and has grown over the past 30+ years to holding significant accounting and leadership roles within California municipal government.
From the Desk of our Managing Principal:
BCG’s Mission and Vision.
I established Burke Consulting Group, PLLC out of a genuine calling to serve. After more than thirty years immersed in the world of government and not-for-profit finance, auditing, and consulting, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of well-executed strategy, sound ethics, and human-centered leadership. Our mission is simple but powerful: to empower organizations with expert guidance that enables clarity, confidence, and sustainable success. Through every engagement, we prioritize people over profits and solutions over shortcuts—because real progress begins with purpose.
I envision a future where public entities aren’t defined by limitations but by their potential. At BCG, our vision is to help government and mission-driven organizations operate with the same agility and innovation as leading enterprises. That means aligning with evolving industry standards, responding proactively to change, and delivering measurable results with integrity. We’re committed to redefining what excellence looks like in our sector—and proving that resourcefulness can rival any budget.
Throughout my career, I’ve learned that technical expertise must be paired with compassion and courage. Financial turnarounds, regulatory challenges, and structural reforms aren’t just tasks—they’re moments that demand leadership and trust. That’s why I’ve built a team at BCG that reflects my core values: transparency, collaboration, and a drive to deliver high-quality outcomes. We approach every project with diligence, drawing on deep experience and the latest standards to craft solutions that not only meet expectations—but elevate them.
Vanessa Burke
Managing Principal at Burke Consulting Group
Guided by Integrity,
Driven by Excellence.
TESTIMONIALS
“Vanessa Burke is on top of her game when it comes to understanding municipal finance.”
Senior Counsel