Why I started Spanwise
A love for thoughtful problem-solving
I founded Spanwise after years of working with Fortune 100 and mid-size leaders who were navigating complex, high‑stakes initiatives and needed more than a slide deck or a status report. What I loved most in my work — and what clients valued most — was the ability to help them think through options from every angle: technical, operational, process‑oriented, metric‑driven, and adoption‑focused.
I enjoyed stepping into complicated situations, learning the landscape, reviewing data and documentation, and meeting with stakeholders who often held insights that had never been surfaced or advocated for. Bringing fresh eyes, varied experience, and structured curiosity allowed me to uncover root causes at the level executives actually need — not the engineering‑deep version, but the clarity‑driven version that helps leaders make confident decisions.
What energized me was partnering with smart people to explore potential solutions, refine them together, and shape a path forward that had their fingerprints on it. That collaborative, thoughtful problem‑solving is where I do my best work.
A gap in how consulting is delivered
Over time, I also saw how consulting engagements were often structured. Teams were frequently staffed with many junior resources, often guided by someone only slightly more senior. While this model works for certain types of work, it doesn’t always give leaders the seasoned, steady partner they need for their most complex challenges.
Brenda Liebnow, PMP - Spanwise Founder
A way to keep doing meaningful work
Spanwise is my response to that gap. I’m easing into retirement, but I still want to work on interesting problems with thoughtful, committed people — and make a meaningful difference. Spanwise lets me bring the depth of my experience directly to the leaders who need it, without layers or overhead. It’s the work I love, done the way it should be done: with clarity, structure, insight, and partnership.
That foundation shapes how I work with leaders today.
How I work
A steady, clarity‑driven approach to complex work
Clarity, discipline, and genuine partnership
My approach is grounded in clarity, discipline, and genuine partnership. I do the work as if I were doing it for myself — no shortcuts, no assumptions, and no one‑size‑fits‑all solutions.
Especially at the beginning of an engagement, I listen closely. Even when I think I see the issue or the likely solution, I know every organization has its own environment, values, and history. Listening and asking thoughtful questions helps me understand not just the work, but the people and context behind it.
Understanding what’s really happening
When I conduct assessments, I often notice things that stand out immediately. I approach those conversations with respect, because I believe two things: no one sets out to create a bad process, and processes evolve over time.
My goal is to understand what’s happening, why it’s happening, and how to move forward in a way that supports both the work and the people doing it.
Turning observations into insight
I take extensive notes throughout an engagement. I’ve always believed the mind remembers what the hand did — whether writing or typing.
Reviewing and distilling those notes helps me see patterns, ask sharper follow‑up questions, and build a clear, accurate picture of the situation.
Helping leaders take their next step with clarity
I’m process‑oriented, data‑oriented, and people‑oriented in equal measure. I want the work to be structured and sound, but I also want the people involved to feel valued, heard, and connected to the bigger picture.
Clients often tell me that my steady, observant, thoughtful presence is exactly what they need when the stakes are high. My goal is simple: bring clarity, reduce risk, and help leaders move forward with confidence.
A thoughtful presence leaders can rely on
A grounded, human approach to complex work
Spanwise is the work I love, done in a way that reflects my values — clarity, structure, partnership, and respect for the people doing the work. If you’re navigating something complex and want a seasoned, steady partner alongside you, I’d welcome the conversation.
What clients appreciate
Across organizations and challenges, leaders tend to value the same things in how I work.
A steady presence in complex moments
Leaders often tell me that my calm, observant approach helps them navigate difficult situations without feeling stretched thin. I bring steadiness when the work feels uncertain or high‑stakes.
Clarity that cuts through complexity
I distill complicated landscapes into something understandable and actionable. Leaders gain a clearer sense of what matters most, what can wait, and where the real leverage points are — often unlocking the turning point for meaningful progress.
A partner who sees the whole system
I look across people, process, data, governance, and context to understand how everything fits together. Clients value that I connect dots across these areas and help them move toward solutions that are both practical and sustainable
Guidance leaders can act on
My recommendations are grounded, realistic, and tailored to the organization’s environment. I don’t offer theory for theory’s sake — I offer next steps that move the work forward, reduce risk, and respect the people who will carry the work ahead.
Respect for the people doing the work
Clients often tell me they feel seen and respected throughout the engagement. I approach every conversation with humility and curiosity, knowing that processes evolve and people do their best with what they have. That respect builds trust and enables meaningful change.
Ready when you are.
If this approach resonates with you, I’d be glad to explore what support could look like.
No pressure. Just a conversation.