About

Burtis Consulting Group (BCG) is a leading asset in government relations, strategic consulting, and operational & logistical planning.

As a woman owned business BCG has proved it is a strong contender to the professional services industry. Our team brings many years of New York City government administration and political experience to the agency. The firm identifies municipal challenges that affect projects and implements pristine strategy-based solutions.

Specialties include community outreach, stakeholder engagement, issue advocacy, crisis management, permit expediting, pedestrian management, and event production. BCG has an extraordinarily expansive history of successful implementation and coordination of all phases of projects. We have effective professional relationships with private firms, state, federal and municipal agencies and combined experience working seamlessly with our clients project teams, vendors and subcontractors.

BCG’s creative and calculated approach to problem solving allows organizations to integrate their needs with local stakeholder considerations and municipal governments. Realizing that no two projects are the same, the team engrains itself in the local community to ensure subject matter expertise. By providing clients with a 360-degree plan that accounts for relevant local factors and potential impacts on the community, BCG helps each client explore short-, medium- and long-term planning options to ensure that a project reaches its goals. Specifically, the BCG team has extensive expertise in assisting agencies and contractors in direct response to events that have occurred in New York City.

As a certified WBE with the City of New York and New York State, BCG also assists companies and municipalities meet their M/WBE requirements for government contracting opportunities by fulfilling various roles. This includes community relations, government consulting/liaison, traffic management, training, and transportation mitigation plans.

BCG provides change management strategies and consulting to government agencies, municipalities and their contractors, as they tackle issues that impact the community’s quality of life.

Meet the Team

Cristin Burtis

CEO

Colleen Russo

Principal

Oscar Jonas

Senior Community Liaison

Michelle Harrison</p>
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Michelle Harrison

Compliance and Administrative Coordinator

Vladimir Poux</p>
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Vladimir Poux

Community Construction Liaison

Terry Fitzgerald

Permit Expeditor

working pointing at blueprints

Nathan Herman

Permit Expeditor

Edgar Santana</p>
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Edgar Santana

Community Construction Liaison

Loretta Loutan</p>
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Loretta Loutan

Community Construction Liaison

Julia Scrivani

Julia Scrivani

Agency Engagement Associate

Michael Whitfield

Michael Whitfield

Community Construction Liaison/Stakeholder Engagement Expert

Courtney ‘Coco’  Marshall</p>
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Courtney ‘Coco’ Marshall

Community Construction Liaison

Anber Khaliq</p>
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Anber Khaliq

Community Construction Liaison

Tanbir Chowdhury</p>
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Tanbir Chowdhury

Community Construction Liaison

kieth hurley

Keith Hurley

Community Construction Liaison

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Ashley Zhang

Finance Director

Marcela Tovar

Marcela Tovar

Community Construction Liaison

Cristin Burtis

CEO

Cristin’s impressive resume includes years of combined experience working for the City of New York serving under various leaders such as Mayors Rudolph W. Giuliani, Michael R. Bloomberg and Bill De Blasio as well as starting and owning several businesses. Cristin has deep rooted knowledge and expertise of critical municipal issues and her extensive experience in government affairs, community relations, construction management, permitting, pedestrian management, transportation logistics and regulatory compliance empowers her today as a successful CEO in her very own women owned professional services firm. Over the past several years, Cristin has grown her small consulting firm to be a fierce competitor in the industry. She and her team has been responsible for carrying out various Community Liaison projects, assisting developers with complex construction and regulatory issues, and coordinating the executing the logistics and operations to implement over 500+ temporary COVID vaccination sites for the City of New York.

Cristin has also played an integral role in reshaping New York City’s permitting and regulatory requirements, logistical and operational coordination as well as health and safety plans for large scale events. As the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM) Cristin was tasked with creating a new permitting system, implementing new policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance at the city’s major events. This includes coordination and communication of over a staggering 70,000 events yearly. The result of her experience, in-depth analysis of event procedures across multiple agencies, New York City adopted new processes that ensured safety and compliance at all public events.

In her tenure working for the City for over 15+ years, Cristin has been responsible for the coordination and management of many major events and served as the mayor’s liaison for Super Bowl XLVIII. Some direct results of her meticulous event planning work include Major League Baseball All Star Games, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, New Year’s Eve in Times Square, and various Central Park concerts. She also carried out military events including Fleet Week, Air Force Week and Army Week. And she was responsible for assisting in the coordination of various special projects such as devising a Visitor Access Operational Plan for the New York City 9/11 Memorial and Museum and responsible for the Commodities Distribution Plan and the delivery and installation plan of the lifeguard stations, bathroom and changing facilities in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. When she promises, she delivers.

Cristin holds both an undergraduate degree and masters from St. John’s University.

Colleen Russo

Principal

Colleen spent many of her career’s early years in IT Compliance and database administration at a leading firm on Wall Street where she made impactful cost analysis driven improvements and managed relationships between the business clients and its vendors. Once her community was impacted by Hurricane Sandy Colleen engrained herself into various grass roots volunteer organizations to help build back her community. Her work as a volunteer and liaison with the community and elected officials evolved into a significant career change in her commitment to help others in need.

Colleen began a career in construction management and program administration establishing the roles and responsibilities of The New York Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery where she quickly exceled into high profiled projects with executive staff and leadership. The program utilizes a $4.4 billion budget made available by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. Successful implementation of policy changes and program management of a variety of programs are a direct result of her contribution. Colleen was responsible in her role to oversee Housing responses to elected officials, heavily involved with constituent services and overall management and coordination of all applicant facing Program correspondence. She is a relationship-oriented Program and Project Manager experienced in Housing, Construction and Emergency Management within both private and government sectors.

Colleen’s experience in planning, execution, client-vendor relationships, and policy and operations complement her role with BCG. Her detail driven familiarity in fluid environments, experience in data analysis and work with technical platforms permit her to generate efficiencies and enhancements to processes where required. Colleen has a unique understanding of liaising on the client side of the agency while performing a vendor role overseeing various subcontractors.

An active member of NAWIC (National Association for Women in Construction), Colleen enjoys career mentoring her peers from past employers. She has recently been recognized by The NJEDA (New Jersey Economic Development Association) and featured at the Business Network for Offshore Wind, has received a Certificate of Achievement award from Senator Lanza’s office and received recognition from the local Sgt. Michael Ollis VFW #9587 for a clean site, performance, and community involvement. She has private, governmental and agency driven experience to support staff and help make decisions that drive projects to completion.

Oscar Jonas

Senior Community Liaison

Oscar Jonas spent his career working within communities. Over the past several years at BCG, Oscar has been a Senior Community Affairs Liaison, where he has overseen major public works projects, build relationships and coalitions, and perform constituent services. Prior to joining BCG, he was a top aide for multiple elected officials, including two members of the New York State Senate. Oscar was selected as one of 11 Legislative Fellows with the State Senate to assist in the legislative process for the 2003 session in Albany. In 2012, the Brooklyn Independent Neighborhood Democrats (IND) selected him as one of four honorees in recognition of his dedicated service to the community.

Oscar has held prominent positions such as Senior Campaign Advisor JoAnn Simon Borough President, Brooklyn Director Community Affairs with the Office of Senator V. Montgomery, NY, Deputy Chief of Staff with the Office of Senator M. Connor to name a few. Oscar’s combined political and public relations driven experience and dedication play an integral part of his duties at BCG. His positivity, political experience, and his attention to detail and involvement with projects are a critical component of our success.

Oscar grew up in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx, and he is a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School. Oscar earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from Long Island University. He served two terms as president of the Student Government Association, working to improve the quality of life on campus.

Michelle Harrison

Michelle Harrison

Compliance and Administrative Coordinator

Michelle began her career as an auditor in a mid-sized accounting firm in Manhattan, where she skillfully applied her detail-oriented approach to cultivate strong relationships with clients and deliver customized financial solutions for several Fortune 500 companies. While taking time to raise her children, Michelle volunteered her talents and became a well regarded member of her sons’ schools and sports associations. Michelle capitalized on her leadership and coordination skills to spearhead a number of highly successful fundraisers and community events.

After transitioning back to her professional career, Michelle spent nearly a decade as an Evaluation Administrator for a preschool and evaluation agency, focusing on the special needs community in Staten Island. She demonstrated exceptional organizational skills and acted as a vital liaison between families and the Committee on Preschool Special Education.

Michelle holds a BS in Accounting and an AAS in Business Administration from St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, NY. With her proven ability to engage with diverse groups of people, she takes pride in her capacity to always foster a comfortable and collaborative work environment. Her commitment to excellence, unique combination of financial acumen, skills in team dynamics and administrative expertise undoubtedly makes her a valuable asset to BCG.

Vladimir Poux

Vladimir Poux

Community Construction Liaison

Vladimir is an experienced Community Construction Liaison with over 15 years of dedicated service to the city of New York. Vladimir has effectively bridged the gap between long-term capital projects and the communities affected during construction. His role involves collaboration with various city agencies, including the Fire Department of New York and the New York Police Department, as well as elected officials and community boards, ensuring minimal disruption and maintaining open lines of communication with stakeholders. Vladimir coordinates deliveries, special needs requests, and distributes project-related notices, maps, and parking restrictions to local businesses and residents. He actively engages the community by compiling school, business and surveys to collect feedback and address concerns in a timely manner. Throughout his career, Vladimir has overseen the installation of various infrastructure components, including water mains, storm and sanitary pipes, and fire hydrants, along with construction of new roads, including pavement placement in previously undeveloped areas. His professionalism and commitment to community engagement have been exemplary. Additionally, Vladimir has pursued further knowledge by studying and passing the requirements exams of Nicet levels 1, 2, and 3, earning his credential as a city inspector. His strong work ethic and dedication make him an invaluable asset to BCG.

Terry Fitzgerald

Permit Expeditor

Terry has been an expert in the construction permitting industry for over 20+ years. She has extensive expertise in permit expediting and plan approvals for many types of projects including roadway and sidewalk closures, commercial, mixed use and residential developments, fire alarm and suppression systems to name a few. Terry has experience working with developers, construction managers, engineers as well as fire consultant experts. Terry has worked on thousands of projects throughout the five boroughs and is a subject matter expert in permitting with the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).

Terry can help you obtain a permit from the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) if your development or construction project involve construction or placing equipment on a city-owned sidewalk, roadway, or highway such as street openings, building operations and construction activity, sidewalk repair, or canopy authorizations.

Alternatively, FDNY permits or services may be required on projects which include fire alarm modifications, fire alarm systems inspection, commissioning, and certification services, fire protection plan preparation, FDNY variances, and violation removal. She has extensive knowledge in the interpretation of applicable fire protection, helping our clients to meet fire code compliance for any project.

working pointing at blueprints

Nathan Herman

Permit Expeditor

Nathan has over 18 years of experience in construction permitting. He helps our clients navigate the Department of Buildings procedures. Whether you are single homeowner preparing to perform renovations, a developer designing your new ground up, a contractor or an architect who needs help acquiring a permit or tackling a violation, rest assured your project will be expedited in the true sense of the word. Nathan’s expertise includes a broad array of consulting and filing services and his approach is custom to every client.

Edgar Santana

Edgar Santana

Community Construction Liaison

Edgar is a Community Construction Liaison with 2 years of experience in Construction Management. With a background in Real Estate Analytics, Edgar has worked across Commercial Real Estate and contributed to projects involving facilities management and data research. What sets him apart is his personable approach—whether collaborating with a team, leading a project, or connecting with clients, Edgar brings empathy, clarity, and enthusiasm to every conversation by consistently aiming to make a real difference through their work. Outside of work, you can find Edgar supporting local businesses, watching sports with friends and staying physically active—always curious, always learning.

Loretta Loutan

Loretta Loutan

Community Construction Liaison

Loretta is a passionate, service-driven professional with over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry and 6 years in the healthcare service administration. Known for her strong organizational skills, calm under pressure, and unwavering positivity, Loretta has built a reputation for delivering high-quality service while managing complex, fast-paced environments with professionalism and care.

Throughout her career in hospitality, Loretta honed the art of customer experience—leading teams, coordinating logistics, and ensuring that every detail aligned with client expectations. Her ability to lead with empathy and efficiency made her a go-to person for both staff and guests. Transitioning into healthcare service administration allowed her to deepen her skills in scheduling, operations management, and multi-departmental communication, all while supporting patient-centered care.

Now, Loretta is channeling her diverse background into a new and exciting path, construction management. Inspired by the tangible impact of building and the strategic thinking it requires, she is pursuing a career where she can combine her experience in people management, operations and project coordination to help bring structures to life from the ground up.

With a strong foundation in leadership, a proven ability to adapt across industries and a deep respect for teamwork and process, Loretta is ready to grow into the construction industry. Her goal is to contribute meaningfully to projects that shape communities—always with the same professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication that has defined her career thus far.

Julia Scrivani

Julia Scrivani

Agency Engagement Associate

Julia is a dynamic professional with a broad range of experiences in the mental health field, photo/video production, and construction management. With years of expertise as a project coordinator, she has played a pivotal role in the successful execution of hundreds of projects. Julia holds a Class-1 Filing Representative license and has worked extensively with New York City agencies, including the Department of Buildings (DOB), Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), Office of Environmental Remediation (OER), and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).

Currently, Julia serves as an Agency Engagement Associate for the Borough-Based Jail Program (BBJP) in New York. In this role, she contributes to managing and implementing strategies related to Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for multiple high-profile, multibillion-dollar NYC Design-Build projects. Her work involves engaging with various City and State agencies and utilities, including DOC, CHS, MOCJ, DOB, PDC, DCP, LPC, FDNY, DEP, NYPD, and ConEd. Julia collaborates closely with the Agency Engagement Manager and other team leaders to coordinate agency meetings, manage communications, and track the resolution of design and permitting issues.

Julia’s commitment to this project stems from her educational and professional background in psychology and mental health. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Addiction Studies from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Additionally, she earned her CASAC-T (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee) certification from the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports. During her time as a substance abuse counselor, Julia witnessed the devastating effects of drugs and alcohol on communities and their link to high incarceration rates. Driven by a desire to contribute to criminal justice reform, she is passionate about making a positive impact through her work on the BBJP.

Michael Whitfield

Michael Whitfield

Community Construction Liaison/Stakeholder Engagement Expert

Michael Whitfield is a dedicated and experienced Community Construction Liaison with over 20 years of service to New York City. A lifelong resident of the city, Michael has committed his career to bridging the gap between construction projects and the communities they impact. His extensive experience includes working with the New York City Department of Design & Construction (NYCDDC) on a wide range of projects, from smaller neighborhood initiatives like Safe Routes to Schools to large-scale infrastructure projects such as trunk water mains and combined sewer systems in Manhattan, which involved complex micro-tunneling techniques.
Throughout his career, Michael has successfully liaised with diverse stakeholders—from small property owners to large building managers, as well as elected officials and community boards. His expertise in communication has helped smooth the often challenging process of construction management, ensuring projects are completed with minimal disruption to residents and local businesses.
Michael’s work goes beyond public-facing interactions; he is known for his diligent behind-the-scenes efforts, including meticulous water sampling to monitor the safety and quality of the local water supply. His unwavering attention to detail ensures the health and well-being of the community he serves. Whether at community meetings or conducting essential fieldwork, Michael’s commitment to both his profession and his neighbors is evident in all aspects of his work.
Courtney ‘Coco’ Marshall

Courtney ‘Coco’ Marshall

Community Construction Liaison

With a background in economic development and project management, Courtney ‘Coco’ is excited to work with the New York City Department of Design & Construction on projects dedicated to improving critical infrastructure and community resiliency.

Before moving to New York, Courtney served as Project Manager for the Global Business Development division at the State of Colorado, Office of Economic Development & International Trade. In that role, she managed international trade and investment missions, facilitated export and foreign direct investment initiatives, and collaborated on strategies to attract and grow businesses throughout the state. Her professional strengths include identifying business objectives, developing comprehensive market research reports, and translating complex data into actionable insights.

She is passionate about working collaboratively to better understand the socio-economic factors impacting local communities and is committed to supporting initiatives that promote equitable development and long-term sustainability.

Anber Khaliq

Anber Khaliq

Community Construction Liaison

From diverse cultural landscapes to the vibrant streets of New York, Anber Khaliq’s career is a rich tapestry of international experience combined with a genuine commitment to collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. With a journey woven across continents and cultures, she excels in effective communication and a people-centric approach, turning challenges into shared successes.

Anber transitioned into the corporate sphere through a managerial position at British American Tobacco in Islamabad Pakistan, where she spent over three years leading multifaceted operational and sustainability initiatives that spanned procurement, stakeholder engagement, and environmental stewardship. Over the years, she strengthened her expertise in supply chain operations, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration. In her most recent role as a Team Leader in Dubai, UAE, where she worked for nearly two years, she orchestrated high-stakes recovery operations, managing complex client portfolios with unwavering precision and empathy, earning multiple awards for her commitment and results.

Anber holds an MPhil and MSc, both awarded with honors, from Quaid-i-Azam University in Pakistan, which has been ranked among the top 400 universities globally in 2025. Currently, she contributes to the NYC DDC Complex Pedestrian Ramps project, working across Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Outside of work, Anber enjoys the simple pleasures of life—getting lost in a good book (always happy to share recommendations), nurturing her budding interest in gardening as she acclimates to New York’s seasons, and crafting delicious meals that reflect her passion for cooking.

Tanbir Chowdhury

Tanbir Chowdhury

Community Construction Liaison

Tanbir is a seasoned political strategist, government affairs professional, and public communicator whose career spans from political campaigns to serving in both New York City and State government. A Queens native and lifelong New Yorker, Tanbir has held key leadership roles in the New York City Council and the New York State Assembly, where he oversaw district operations, community engagement, and public communications on behalf of elected officials. In these roles, he managed constituent services, organized community events, and advanced legislative priorities by building strong agency and stakeholder coalitions. In the political arena, Tanbir has led field and outreach efforts across some of New York’s most competitive races,

Tanbir is widely recognized for his work in mobilizing South Asian communities across New York, from Suffolk to Syracuse, through his leadership of They See Blue New York, where he built the organization’s statewide outreach strategy. His work has helped elevate South Asian civic engagement to unprecedented levels and has been featured across state & national media. Tanbir’s contributions have been recognized on the City & State New York Asian Power 100 (2024), City & State New York Political Consultants Power 100 (2025), and Schneps Media’s Queens Power List (2024). He holds a B.A. in Law and Society from John Jay College and is completing his Master of Public Administration at Baruch College’s Marxe School of Public and International Affairs.

kieth hurley

Keith Hurley

Community Construction Liaison

Keith is a dedicated leader with more than a decade of experience building community connections, mentoring diverse teams, and fostering trust between organizations and the people they serve. With a professional background spanning insurance management, youth development, and community rehabilitation, Keith brings a deep understanding of public engagement and relationship-building to every project he supports.

As a Community Construction Liaison with Burtis Consulting Group, Keith currently works on Pedestrian Bridge projects for the New York City Department of Transportation. In this role, he serves as a vital link between the project team, community stakeholders, and local residents, ensuring that construction activities are communicated clearly and that public feedback is heard and addressed. His proactive approach helps maintain positive relationships and minimize disruptions in the communities impacted by construction.

Before joining BCG, Keith managed a team at Combined Insurance, a Chubb Company, where he led outreach and client education efforts across New York City. His earlier experience with the NYC Administration for Children’s Services and HASC Rehabilitation Center shaped his strong foundation in community relations, crisis management, and program development. Keith’s work has consistently focused on improving access, communication, and support for underserved populations throughout New York’s boroughs.

Known for his empathetic leadership style and ability to connect with residents from all walks of life, Keith plays a key role in advancing BCG’s mission of transparent, community-centered engagement. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation with a concentration in Sports Management from Virginia State University.

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Ashley Zhang

Finance Director

Ashley is a seasoned, detail-driven finance and accounting professional with a significant portion of her career spent in public accounting. She combines strong technical expertise with strategic insight, enabling her to design and implement reporting systems, operational tools, and financial controls that directly inform decision-making and improve efficiency.

Ashley provides tailored solutions that bridge financial and operational needs by skillfully navigating the complexities of each organization she supports. Her expertise includes financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting, account reconciliations, month end closings, and developing systems and controls that enhance accountability. In addition, she has experience collaborating with leadership teams and external stakeholders to align resources, streamline processes, and support large-scale initiatives.

Marcela Tovar

Marcela Tovar

Community Construction Liaison

Marcela Tovar is BCG's newest CCL providing service on the Department of Design and Construction Citywide Sidewalk Maintenance project. She is a service-driven professional with extensive experience supporting building operations, client services, and day-to-day logistics in fast-paced corporate and residential environments. With a strong background in tenant relations, facilities coordination, and front-line customer support, Marcela brings a calm, solutions-oriented approach to every interaction.

As an Assistant Building Manager at Tip Top Tenth Avenue Management Inc., Marcela oversees exterior construction coordination, vendor management, maintenance operations, and compliance support, while serving as a key point of contact for tenant service requests. She is experienced in resolving complaints efficiently, coordinating access for city agencies such as DOB and FDNY, and ensuring building operations remain organized and responsive.

Previously, Marcela worked at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, where she served as a Transportation Coordinator and Client Service Coordinator, supporting attorneys, staff, and visitors through high-volume scheduling, front desk management, travel coordination, and logistics oversight. Her experience in professional client-facing environments reflects her commitment to hospitality, communication, and operational excellence.

Marcela is bilingual in English and Spanish and is recognized for her ability to multitask, communicate clearly, and provide dependable support in roles that require both structure and flexibility.