At Customer Success Collective, nothing excites us more than celebrating exceptional customer success professionals. This passion fuels everything we do!

These unsung heroes do far more than onboard customers or maintain satisfaction. They’re not just about driving retention and keeping customers happy. They juggle countless roles, keeping the gears of an organization turning smoothly. Customer success' versatility and hard work are unmatched, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated department anywhere.

Of course, organizational success depends on many factors, but often it’s the tireless efforts of customer success teams working behind the scenes that propel businesses forward. That’s why we’re thrilled to bring you the fourth edition of the Customer Success Awards. ✨

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Quick heads up: if you missed the shortlist announcement, you can check out who we selected as our 2025 shortlisted candidates.


Customer Success Leader of the Year

Great leaders elevate everyone around them, and this year’s winner has set a shining example of what exceptional leadership in customer success looks like. 

These trailblazers create innovative strategies, deliver top-notch customer experiences, and inspire their teams to reach new heights.

So, who claims the coveted title of Customer Success Leader of the Year for 2025?

We’re thrilled to announce that the Customer Success Leader of the Year has been awarded to… Kimberly Ayala, Director of Customer Success for North & South America at Akeneo.

Kim has redefined what customer success leadership looks like at Akeneo. As Director of Customer Success for North & South America, she's grown GRR from 90% to a projected 97% while her team manages nearly $20M in revenue. But the numbers only tell part of the story – Kim's advocacy-centered approach has sparked customer communities, shaped global programs, and driven over $2M in expansion. She leads with mentorship, curiosity, and empathy, elevating both her team and the broader CS industry. Congrats, Kim! 

Customer Success Rising Star 

While we honor seasoned experts, we’d be remiss not to recognize the up-and-coming talent shaping the future of customer success. These rising stars are already leaving their mark, showcasing the qualities of tomorrow’s leaders.

The winner is…Dimple Athavia, Customer Success Manager at Mimecast.

Dimple exemplifies the spirit of a true rising star. As a Customer Success Manager at Mimecast, she manages a $10M+ portfolio with 108%+ NRR and under 2% churn—impressive by any measure. Beyond her own book of business, she's boosted product adoption by 35% and developed scalable training programs that have reached over 70 CSMs. Dimple pairs entrepreneurial energy with genuine customer empathy, turning challenges into opportunities and raising the bar for everyone around her. Well done, Dimple!

Customer Success Team of the Year

Teamwork makes the dream work, especially in customer success. It’s no secret that some of the most significant organizational wins come from cohesive, collaborative CS teams ensuring smooth customer journeys from onboarding to renewals.

Drumroll, please… the Customer Success Team of the Year award goes to Side.

Six people. More than 500 real estate companies across 18 states. An NPS of 70, churn down 30%, and zero attrition in Q3 2025. Side's customer success team proves that lean doesn't mean limited. Their lifecycle-driven model combines smart segmentation, consultative expertise, and AI-powered systems to deliver personalized success at scale. By treating CS as a core product – not a cost center – Side has built something exceptional: a team that partners deeply and performs relentlessly.

Customer Support Leader of the Year

Exceptional customer support leaders are the unsung heroes behind every great customer experience. They foster empathy, efficiency, and excellence within their teams, ensuring every interaction leaves a lasting impression. But who has truly set the standard for support leadership this year?

We’re thrilled to announce that the Customer Support Leader of the Year has been awarded to… Kenji Hayward, Senior Director of Customer Support at Front.

Kenji brings a rare combination of purpose and precision to customer support. Across roles at Front, Fluxx, and Revel Systems, he's built teams that don’t settle for “just-hitting-our-metrics”... they win multiple Stevie Awards. His approach blends smart scaling, innovative measurement, and a philosophy rooted in ikigai, the Japanese concept of purposeful work. The result is pretty special: support organizations that drive loyalty, growth, and meaning. Kenji isn’t in the business of just supporting his teams; he transforms them.

Thank you to our nominators

A heartfelt shoutout to our nominators. Your votes in this year's Customer Success Awards have been invaluable. 

Celebrating the incredible talent within our industry is vital, and we're ecstatic to spotlight the cream of the crop in CS. Thank you for helping us illuminate their achievements!

Want to stay up to date with our winners, and more?

First thing’s first, be sure to connect with all our winners and shortlisted candidates on LinkedIn to congratulate them on their awesome work. 

And if you want to stay up-to-date on all the latest in the CS space, network with these fantastic finalists, and meet even more of your peers, then the Customer Success Collective Slack community is for you!

Join and start connecting with 10,000+ CS pros from across the world, today!