Vanessa Burnett, CFP®
Partner & COO
V-Card
Partner & COO
V-Card
Nickname – “V”
Vanessa joined Bridge, her first job in investment management, 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 could help investors ride out the roughest patches in the market.
Before joining Bridge, Vanessa worked for several years at Mercer Consulting, 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. Soon after, she married her best friend from high school and settled in the Foothill Communities where she grew up. She and her husband have two children, who are the fourth generation to attend her family’s church, La Canada Presbyterian.
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 completely 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’s your background?
I’m a SoCal girl born and bred. I still live in the Foothill Communities where my parents were raised, and just like my mother always warned me, I can’t get away with anything in this town. I’m a third generation La Canada Presbyterian-goer, and my two kids make it four. I love almost all music, especially gospel, country, and jazz. I played softball for 9 years but made the switch to volleyball, which fostered some of the most amazing experiences of my life in high school, college and beyond. I married one of my closest friends, essentially the boy next door, and life is so funny like that. Some things I never saw coming have turned out to be the best blessings in my life and continue to surprise me every day.
What are the Bridge Advisory Core Values that drive you?
Passion for integrity at all times and a drive to always put our clients first.
Your top three favorite Podcasts/Books?
The Jamie Ivey Podcast, Capital Ideas Podcast, and too many books to list. Currently loving: Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist, Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, and Oh Crap Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki (for the second time). Wish me luck.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Skiing!! (which I haven’t done in the 5 years since having my two beautiful kids), singing (which I mostly now do in the kitchen and car with my kids), and being outside (with my kids and husband, Ryan). Do you sense a theme?! My kids, Taylor and Drew, currently 2 and 5 respectively, are pure joy to my soul. My dad always said that having kids was the joy of his life which I sort of laughed off – but I GET IT now, and I am so grateful.