The City of San Ramon is pleased to announce Jennifer Wakeman as the City’s first Director of Finance, effective March 10. A professional in public finance, Wakeman brings more than 22 years of experience to the role, most recently as Assistant Administrative Services Director for the City of Lafayette.
“We are excited to have Jennifer join the San Ramon team," said City Manager Steven Spedowfski. “We are impressed with her experience in municipal finance, proven leadership, and enthusiasm for implementing sound financial practices.”
Wakeman joins the City of San Ramon from the City of Lafayette, where she served as Financial Services Manager from 2014–2019, then Assistant Administrative Services Director since July 2019. Under her guidance, the City of Lafayette received for the first time, and maintained, the Government Finance Officers’ Association award for excellence in financial reporting for the City’s audit. In addition, she led community initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as student wellness.
Wakeman began her career in public finance in November 2002 with the Town of Moraga, first as Assistant to the Town Manager, learning the finance role from the Town Manager, then as Finance Manager (2003–2005), and later as Finance Manager/Deputy Town Clerk (2005–2006). In September 2006, she accepted the position of Senior Accountant at the City of Walnut Creek, where her primary responsibility was budget development. In this role, she managed many adaptations of the budget process and function as the City experienced budget reductions from the Great Recession and then recovery in the following years. She also spent a 10-month period as the Interim Finance Manager, giving her broad exposure across the organization.
“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,” said Wakeman. “I am eager to learn and manage the financial opportunities and challenges in San Ramon with this experienced team.”
Wakeman joins the City of San Ramon as its first Director of Finance. Previously, Finance was a division within the City’s Administrative Services Department; in October 2024, City administration updated the structure to make Finance its own department.
Wakeman is currently the President of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO), following years of volunteering in a variety of Committee and leadership roles for the organization, including a term on the CSMFO Board of Directors.
Wakeman holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Boston College and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, East Bay.