San Ramon hires first-ever finance director

The city of San Ramon has hired a public finance professional and former administrator with the city of Lafayette as its first-ever finance director, who is set to begin work this month.

Jennifer Wakeman is set to begin in the new role effective March 10, following a five-year tenure as financial services manager in Lafayette from 2014 to 2019 then as assistant administrative services director over the past five years.

“We are excited to have Jennifer join the San Ramon team,” City Manager Steven Spedowfski said in an announcement on Feb. 26. “We are impressed with her experience in municipal finance, proven leadership, and enthusiasm for implementing sound financial practices.”

According to the city’s announcement, Lafayette received and continued to earn the Government Finance Officers’ Association’s award for excellence in financial reporting under Wakeman’s leadership, during which she also spurred DEI and student wellness initiatives.

Prior to her tenure in Lafayette, Wakeman served as assistant town manager then finance manager early in her career with the Town of Moraga, where she also held the title of deputy town clerk from 2005 to 2006 before departing for a senior accountant role with the city of Walnut Creek. She also went on to serve as Walnut Creek’s interim finance manager. She holds an undergraduate degree in finance and marketing from Boston College and a Masters of Public Policy from California State University, East Bay.

Wakeman currently serves as president of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers, where she has been a volunteer in various committee and leadership capacities for years.

San Ramon began recruiting for the position after city administrators shifted finance into its own department in October 2024, which had previously been a division within the city’s Administrative Services Department. 

“I met the City’s leadership team during the interview process and was impressed by their clear determination to collaboratively address fiscal sustainability and community quality of life,” Wakeman said. “I am eager to learn and manage the financial opportunities and challenges in San Ramon with this experienced team.”

Initial interviews for the position were scheduled for late January according to the job posting on governmentjobs.com, which listed the salary range as $207,105.21 to $276,070.86 annually.