Mike Szimanski, Principal

Independent Special Projects Advisor to Business Leaders

My work often begins where conventional organizational responsibilities end: a question that crosses functions, an opportunity that needs independent examination, a problem whose explanation doesn't quite make sense, or an assignment requiring focused attention outside the normal chain of command.

The work involves independent research, investigation and analysis—translating what I find into clear findings and practical alternatives for consideration.

I don't need to know your business better than you do. I need to become grounded in the question quickly enough to examine it independently, challenge assumptions where warranted and identify what may be missing.

I've worked independently with businesses and organizations since 2000, with assignments spanning healthcare, banking and finance, insurance, education, technology, law, nonprofits, hospitality, real estate, transportation and other fields.

Consequential questions, unfamiliar problems, emerging opportunities and special situations.

Markets, competitors, organizations, claims, risks and opportunities.

Complex business information translated into clear, persuasive communication for the people who need to understand it.

Opportunities, positioning, market questions and growth strategy.

Practical applications, research and analysis, output evaluation, factual verification and strategic implications.

Every engagement is handled personally. Nothing is delegated to junior staff, passed between departments or filtered through account managers.

A deliberately low-profile practice built around discretion, objective judgment and confidential executive assignments. NDAs are welcomed.

When additional subject-matter expertise is required, appropriate outside resources can be identified and used only with your knowledge and approval.

U.S.-based independent support for business leaders here and internationally, with the ability to respond quickly when circumstances require.

Advanced research and AI technologies can be powerful force multipliers in an investigation, but they are not substitutes for professional judgment.

I use appropriate technologies to accelerate research, analyze information, identify patterns and test questions while independently evaluating sources, factual claims, reasoning and conclusions. The objective is not to produce more information. It is to determine what information can actually be relied upon and what it means for the question at hand.

B.A., Communications & English, Towson University

International Studies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium

Tell me what is happening, what you think may be happening, or simply what isn't making sense.

I will independently examine the question, identify what matters and what may be missing, and provide concise findings and concrete alternatives for what you can do next.

Initial investigations are $1,000, with findings delivered within 24–48 hours.

Mike Szimanski, Principal

Confidential Executive Advisor

principal@confidentialexecutiveadvisor.com