Reflecting on Growth, Resilience, and Success in 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year that was both demanding and rewarding. This year challenged me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, pushing me to grow not just personally but also professionally. Whether it was navigating complex projects as a Success Programs Manager or tackling ambitious personal goals, the lessons I’ve learned are invaluable.

This year, I embraced opportunities to test my limits and explore new ways of achieving success. In March, I ran my first marathon of the year and qualified for Boston—a moment that reflected the culmination of disciplined preparation and a clear focus on the goal. Later in the year, I completed the London Marathon, earning my Sixth Star in the World Marathon Majors and setting a personal best (at the World Majors, as my personal best overall has to be lower to qualify for Boston) of 3:29:04. These experiences reminded me that success, whether in marathons or customer success programs, is built on consistency, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges.

The spring brought one of my most unique adventures—completing El Camino de Santiago. This wasn’t just a physical journey; it was a mental challenge that tested my endurance and adaptability. After realizing the traditional approach wasn’t aligning with my goals, I shifted gears and decided to run it instead. Covering 50 kilometers a day and finishing two stages daily, I learned the importance of adapting strategies to fit the situation, a lesson I apply frequently in customer success when helping clients overcome obstacles to achieve measurable outcomes.

Professionally, my role as a Success Programs Manager has always been about creating impact through collaboration, strategic planning, and scalable solutions. I’ve driven customer engagement by 40%, improved CSAT scores to an average of 4.3, and developed frameworks that reduced onboarding times and accelerated product adoption by 50%. These achievements required the same persistence and adaptability I practiced in my personal goals.

This year also reminded me of the importance of building meaningful connections. While on the Camino, I met incredible individuals who added richness to the experience. Similarly, in my career, fostering trust and collaboration with clients, partners, and team members has always been at the heart of delivering successful outcomes.

Not every challenge was easy to overcome. This summer, I took on learning how to ride a triathlon bike—a goal I had postponed for years. Initially, I regretted the decision as the bike’s geometry felt completely unfamiliar. However, consistent practice helped me adapt, and now I ride it weekly with pride. This experience reinforced the idea that even when something feels uncomfortable at first, persistence and adaptability can turn it into a strength—a principle that applies directly to overcoming challenges in professional settings.

Another highlight was running the Detroit Marathon, crossing international borders twice—once over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada and back through the tunnel into the U.S. This adventure served as a reminder to keep an open mind—sometimes, the most unexpected experiences turn out to be the most rewarding.

As I reflect on 2024, I am immensely grateful for the lessons learned and the progress made. Whether in my personal endeavors or professional achievements, this year was about embracing challenges, adapting to change, and fostering growth. Moving forward into 2025, I’m eager to continue bringing this energy and mindset into my work—helping teams and clients achieve success, creating scalable solutions, and turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Let’s connect and explore how we can create more success stories together in the year ahead!