BRIAN CAIN, JD
With over 20 years of experience as a tax attorney and accountant, Managing Director Brian Cain is proud to work with a firm dedicated to providing comprehensive tax preparation, tax planning, and financial consulting services to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals. Known for his strategic approach and commitment to client success, Brian has built a reputation as a trusted advisor who navigates complex tax and financial landscapes with precision and integrity.
Beyond his professional achievements, Brian is deeply passionate about travel and cherishes exploring the world with his wife, Sandra, and their two daughters. From 2017 to 2020, the family embraced a life-changing opportunity to live in Italy, where Sandra served as a civilian attorney for the U.S. Navy. During their three-year stay, the Cains visited over 26 countries, enriching their lives with diverse cultures and experiences. Despite being based overseas, Brian seamlessly continued serving his clients by working remotely and frequently traveling back to the United States, logging over 57,000 miles in a single year to ensure uninterrupted service.
In January 2020, Brian returned to San Diego, with his family joining him later that year. Today, Sandra leads the legal office at Navy Region Southwest, while their daughters are thriving in school and navigating the adventures of teenage life. Brian remains committed to his work, combining his professional expertise with the invaluable perspectives gained from his global experiences.
SAIF HALAWA
Saif joins us with more than five years of public accounting experience, specializing in individual and entity taxation. Most recently a Senior Tax Associate at Michael Silver/KSM CPA Firm, Saif has extensive experience preparing and reviewing complex returns and managing client portfolios.
When he's not working, he enjoy working out and playing sports, traveling, exploring new places, and watching TV.
NATALIE HOWES, CPA
Natalie graduated from Fordham University with a B.S. in Accounting. She started her career with PwC in Portland before moving into global corporate controlling and tax. She brings 10+ years of corporate experience and specializes in tax prep and business operations.
AMRA KOLENOVIC
Amra Kolenovic is a Senior Tax Associate with more than six years of full-service experience in tax accounting, compliance, planning, and advisory support. She has worked extensively with startups, growing businesses, and individuals, providing solutions that are both technically thorough and approachable.
Amra is committed to ensuring clients feel supported throughout every stage of their financial and tax journey. Her technical experience includes international and multi-state taxation, year-end tax planning, entity structuring, payroll and employment tax compliance, and addressing complex filing requirements. She is adept at navigating intricate tax scenarios and applying a broad, well-rounded skill set to help clients remain compliant while identifying long-term planning opportunities. Amra approaches each engagement with an emphasis on clarity, communication, and meaningful guidance.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from San Diego State University.
Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her young nephew and is an avid gardener. She also enjoys spending time outdoors and connecting with nature.
RACHEL PALUMBO
Rachel is a 2023 graduate of San Diego State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a specialization in Quantitative Analysis. Her academic background provided a strong foundation in economic theory and data analysis, preparing her for a career in finance and tax.
Rachel joined our team as an intern in February 2023, where she quickly developed a passion for the tax field. During her internship, she gained valuable hands-on experience in accounting and tax-related tasks, which led to her transition into the role of Tax Support Specialist after completing the CTEC California Registered Tax Preparers (CRTP) course.
In her current role, Rachel supports both clients and the tax team throughout the entire tax preparation process, assisting with documentation, tax filings, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. Her attention to detail and strong communication skills makes her a key asset to our team as she continues to grow in the tax and financial services industry.
VALENTINA RADOVA
Senior Tax Associate, Valentina Radova, comes with experience preparing and reviewing federal and multi-state tax returns for individuals, partnerships, and corporations. She brings a strong foundation in full-cycle accounting, financial reporting, reconciliations, and tax compliance, with a focus on accuracy and clear client communication.
Prior to joining SAGE, Valentina worked with a CPA firm in San Diego, supporting clients with tax preparation, IRS and state correspondence, and ongoing accounting needs. She leverages modern accounting and tax technologies to streamline processes and improve efficiency, and thrives in fast-paced environments requiring strong attention to detail.
Valentina holds a Master of Science in Accountancy from San Diego State University and bachelor's degrees in economics and international economics. She has successfully passed the REG and TCP sections and is bilingual in English and Russian. Outside of work, Valentina enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle through regular workouts, traveling, spending time outdoors, and continuously investing in personal growth and self-improvement.
MANAL SHALABI, CPA, MST
As Tax Director at SAGE Tax, Manal brings over 20 years of experience in tax consulting and compliance, with deep expertise in S Corporations, partnerships/LLC’s, multi-state businesses, and high-net-worth individuals. Her strategic mindset and technical proficiency make her a trusted advisor in navigating complex structures and planning opportunities.
Prior to joining SAGE Tax, Manal served in senior leadership roles at local and national accounting firms where she led client engagements, mentored tax teams, and developed firm-wide initiatives. She is also a published contributor on tax matters and a sought-after resource for interpreting and applying evolving tax legislation.
Manal holds a Master of Science in Taxation from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Saint Xavier University, graduating cum laude. She is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Illinois CPA Society.
Outside of the office, Manal enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, hiking, biking, and exploring new places.
COURTNEY THOMAS
With over eight years of experience supporting senior leadership and managing fast-paced operations, Tax Administrative Professional Courtney brings a strong background in administrative management, process improvement, and team coordination to SAGE Tax Advisory. Known for her proactive approach and commitment to efficiency, she has built a reputation for creating streamlined systems that keep operations running smoothly.
Before joining the SAGE team, Courtney served as a Regional Office Assistant and Staff Supervisor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties, where she supported the Regional Vice President, supervised staff, and managed key operational functions. Courtney also brings prior experience from Psychiatric Centers at San Diego, where she coordinated client scheduling, intake processes, communication with families and clinicians, and organized community outings for patient groups.
A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in History of Art, she brings strong technical skills, a collaborative communication style, and a passion for building efficient workflows. Courtney’s dedication and expertise make her an integral part of the SAGE Tax Advisory team.
MARY VANSTON
Mary Vanston brings over 20 years of accounting experience to her role as a trusted member of your team. A Certified QuickBooks Advisor, Mary manages all aspects of bookkeeping, from general ledger maintenance to payroll and tax preparation, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
Mary is known for her attention to detail and commitment to providing exceptional service to clients. A longtime member of our team, she works closely with clients to optimize their financial systems and streamline operations. Outside of work, Mary is passionate about NASCAR, especially as a fan of Kyle Busch. She also loves baking, particularly cupcakes, and is an avid collector of eclectic miniatures. In her free time, Mary enjoys traveling by train and exploring new destinations.
RON WATT, CPA
Ron is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College and a veteran of 40+ years in the accounting profession, where he has worked in both public accounting and private industry. His main area of expertise is individual and small business tax preparation and planning.
ANGELA ROEDER, CPA
Angela Roeder is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 30 years of experience in public accounting and private industry, including leadership roles in Big Four firms and senior positions within private equity–backed and publicly traded companies. She brings deep expertise in GAAP financial reporting, federal and multi-state taxation, revenue recognition, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
Angela has served as Chief Accounting Officer, Vice President of Accounting, Corporate Controller, and Assistant Controller, where she led full-cycle accounting operations, implemented internal controls, supported audits and SEC reporting, and partnered closely with executive leadership. Known for her practical, detail-oriented approach, Angela excels at translating complex financial matters into clear, actionable insights that support sound decision-making. Outside of work, she is an avid music lover and attends several music festivals a year.