Employee Spotlight: Meet Vanessa Michaels

Vanessa Michaels is one of BetterComp's Customer Success Managers. Based in Denver, Colorado, Vanessa joined the BetterComp team in March 2024 and plays an integral part in how BetterComp supports our customers. We sat down with Vanessa to learn more about her role and life outside of work!

Can you share a brief overview of your professional background and how you ended up in your current role?

I was an educator for over a decade before transitioning into the HR SaaS tech space as a Customer Success Manager. My first role out of higher education allowed me to leverage the skills I developed in onboarding, teaching, training, and navigating complex policies, and apply them to managing a book of business. I brought that experience into my current role as the third Customer Success Manager at BetterComp. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on understanding each client’s unique needs and ensuring their continued success and adoption of the product. 

Describe your role at BetterComp:

My days at BetterComp are very busy and meeting-heavy! I spend most of my time on client implementation calls, leading ongoing customer meetings and trainings, and participating in internal discussions around product rollouts and upcoming compensation cycles. When I’m not on calls, I’m advocating for my clients across internal teams—including data, support, sales, implementation, and development—to ensure alignment and deliver top-tier support.

What is your favorite part about your job? About working at BetterComp in general? 

Working at a startup means everything is always evolving—and I love that! You get to roll up your sleeves and improve processes and workflows every day, which is both exciting and rewarding. I also really appreciate the collaborative culture at BetterComp. The team is incredibly supportive, and everyone’s always willing to lend a helping hand.

What do you like doing when you’re not at work?

I’m an avid gardener and passionate home cook! My fiancée and I are heading into our third summer in our home, and we’ve been continually working to improve our garden and increase its biodiversity. This year, we’re growing several heirloom varieties of vegetables and herbs, including Hot and Spicy Oregano, Lemon Cucumber, Cocozelle Squash, and Cherokee Purple Tomatoes. One of my favorite things is using every part of a plant—for example, with radishes, I pickle them in a variety of ways, cook with them, and use the tops to make pesto or add to green juice.

What has been your favorite project or assignment so far? Why was it special to you?

One of my favorite projects has been leading the refinement of our customer health scoring initiative. It gave me the chance to take a closer look at the indicators that truly reflect customer success and risk – and to ensure we’re using that data proactively, not reactively. I’ve also really enjoyed mapping the customer journey from sales through renewal. That work helped us identify key touchpoints and opportunities to better support our clients at every stage, which has felt really impactful.
What made these projects special was their direct impact on the client experience and the opportunity to collaborate cross-functionally to drive meaningful, lasting improvements. It’s the kind of work that reminds me why I love being in Customer Success.

Is there a piece of advice you received early in your career that has stayed with you? 

One piece of advice that’s really stuck with me is: “Lead with curiosity.” Early on, I was reminded that asking thoughtful questions and genuinely seeking to understand – whether it’s a process, a client’s challenge, or a teammate’s perspective – can completely shift how you approach problem-solving and relationship-building. That mindset helped me transition careers, adapt quickly, and build trust with both clients and colleagues. It’s a simple idea, but it’s made a big difference throughout my journey.

Share a few fun or surprising facts about yourself that your colleagues might not know. 

I’m an avid reader—I've already read 22 books this year! I’m especially drawn to memoirs, magical realism, sci-fi, and psychology books. I use the StoryGraph app to track everything, and nothing makes me happier than finding a book that totally pulls me in. I almost always have a book (or two!) going and love swapping recommendations with other readers.

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited and what made it so special? 

One of my favorite places I’ve visited is Lagos, Portugal. It’s a stunning coastal town with amazing cliffs and quiet beaches. What made it special was the balance between outdoor activities – like hiking along the coast and swimming in secluded spots – and just enjoying the relaxed vibe in the evenings, with fresh seafood and sunsets.