Vanessa Burnett, CFP®
Partner, Financial Advisor, COO
V-Card
Partner, Financial Advisor, COO
V-Card
Nickname – “V”
BA in Communication, Minor in Business; University of Southern California
Vanessa joined Bridge Advisory in March 2008, just months before the financial crisis and the Great Recession. Instead of scaring her, the event turned financial planning into a calling. She saw how a good plan and the right behavior can help investors ride out the roughest patches in the market.
Vanessa is passionate about her clients and helping them achieve their financial goals, as well as her team and guiding them to do great things in their careers and lives.
She currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Elizabeth House, a shelter for pregnant women and their children experiencing homelessness in Pasadena, California.
Vanessa spends her time outside of work with her family and enjoys staying active in any way possible – be it solo on the Peloton or the trampoline with her kids.
Before joining Bridge, Vanessa worked for several years as a compensation analyst at Mercer, a global human-resource firm. She graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
Vanessa earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certificate in 2011. She holds a California Life, Health and Disability insurance license.
What are two interesting facts about you?
I ran a marathon, and I am allergic to peanuts.
What is something people in the financial world have to deal with that you want to fix?
I want to help educate our communities, especially our young people, about finances in order to help them live better, more fulfilled lives. I also want to make sure women feel educated, empowered and confident to handle their finances and that of their families.
What do you do at Bridge?
I advise and guide our clients on their path to financial independence, while also mentoring and managing our team toward growth and continued success. I also hope I inspire, bring joy, and friendship to the team and our clients who we consider family.
What are your credentials/past experience, for working in your position?
I started in March of 2008 – on St. Patrick’s Day with the luck of the Irish! – and believe that was one of the most important times to begin in this business. Living through 2008-2009 was eye opening and has me hooked on this business and the strong desire to help people achieve their dreams. That, and the CFP®, my insurance license, and a very strong network of family, mentors, and friends to support and cheer me on.
What’s your Archetype?
Protagonist Personality, ENFJ-A
What do you like about working at Bridge?
Our team and our clients!
What are the Bridge Advisory Core Values that drive you?
I have a passion for integrity at all times and a drive to always put our clients first.
Your top three favorite Podcasts/Books?
I love any true crime podcast including all of the Serial podcasts. When I’m not reading books on parenting, finance, and leadership, I enjoy reading historical fiction and some of my favorites have been The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah, Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese and The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Anything active with my husband and kids – baseball, golf, soccer, skiing, going to the beach, hiking, etc.!
What are you looking forward to?
I am trying to focus on staying in the present, which is hard to do with young kids, but I know these years will fly by so I am not trying to rush anything. At Bridge Advisory I am most looking forward to seeing the firm continue to grow and thrive as we add more team members and clients to our Bridge Family.
What makes you smile?
Seeing my kids playing (or sleeping!!), music, sunsets.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Well, I would have to play to win so that’ll probably never happen. BUT, if I ever did buy a ticket and win, I’d probably set some aside for the kids’ education, donate to our church and various local charities, and keep doing what I’m doing, because I love it!
What’s the best adventure you’ve taken?
Or favorite place you’ve traveled to? My husband and I visited Spain with our dear friends and drove all throughout Andalusia in southern Spain. It was so beautiful and also somewhat reminiscent of the central coast region of California! We had a hilarious adventure in Ronda with our rental car that still makes me laugh, and we had a beautifully picturesque few days in Marbella as well. Take me back!