Kimberly Burkert got her start at Bala Consulting Engineers Inc. as controller, using her financial knowledge — and degrees in finance, accounting and business — to help drive the company’s growth.
She quickly rose into other roles, though, including chief financial officer and executive vice president, and blazed a trail as Bala’s first female partner. On the 40th anniversary of the company’s founding, Burkert was named chief executive officer, succeeding the company’s founder.
“Burkert’s strategic management skills, drive and passion have been instrumental in leading Bala to a 400% growth rate over the two decades she has been with the company,” her team said.
“The biggest sacrifice I made personally was making my career a priority while raising three children,” Burkert said. “When I started at Bala, I had two children under the age of two. In addition, the commute was over an hour each way. I considered turning the position down because I thought it would be too challenging to be dedicated to my career while being a good mother. With the support of my family, especially my parents, I accepted the new role. This decision changed my life and led me to eventually becoming CEO of this great company.”
Under Burkert’s leadership, the company has acquired five engineering firms, expanding its presence across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The firm has offices in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and Burkert makes a point to visit each office, nurturing a culture of learning, innovation and growth.
Burkert’s five-year vision includes expanding project opportunities at Bala, fostering career advancement and providing support for employee development. By committing to reducing the company’s climate impact and achieving net zero emissions, Bala is at the forefront of sustainable engineering practices. “Burkert recognizes the importance of diverse teams in delivering better solutions and is leading initiatives to improve diversity, equity and inclusion within the firm,” the company said.
As one of the few female CEOs in the engineering industry, Burkert is committed to increasing the presence of women in professional leadership roles, her team said. Her dedication to empowering others extends to her involvement in community organizations such as The Forum of Executive Women and the Sunday Breakfast Club.
Burkert participates in various community initiatives, including serving on The Forum of Executive Women, the St. Joseph’s University Alumni Real Estate and Construction Chapter and The Philadelphia Sunday Breakfast Club. She also is involved with the Inner-City Business Owner Mentorship Program and volunteers as a financial literacy coach for Habitat for Humanity.
The Philadelphia Business Journal honored Burkert as a Woman of Distinction in 2021, highlighting her trailblazing leadership and dedication to community support.
