Makecom
Deshnee Naidoo‑Cann
Partner & Customer Success Lead
Kingsnorth
Summary
Partner & Customer Program Engagement Lead with 10+ years’ experience driving customer success, partner enablement and revenue growth across SaaS, FinTech and financial services. Proven ability to design onboarding frameworks, success plans and enablement programs that maximize adoption, retention and measurable outcomes. Commercial banking background with hands-on financial advisory experience and FAIS-aligned training (Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, South Africa), bringing consultative credibility, compliance awareness and risk management expertise to customer success engagements. Recognized for implementing innovative solutions that improve customer satisfaction, strengthen partnerships and deliver sustained business growth.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
Work History
Partner & Customer Program Engagement Lead, EMEA & APAC
Impinj
03.2023 - Current
- Drive global partner strategy and ecosystem growth, managing a network of 1,000+ partners.
- Lead enablement initiatives, LMS platform management and delivery of impactful training and content.
- Implement CRM optimisation projects (Salesforce, CSAT workflows) to improve visibility and customer health tracking.
- Deliver actionable insights through reporting and analysis, supporting regional revenue growth strategies.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Product and Support to align efforts on adoption, retention and market trends.
- Foster strategic relationships across diverse technology ecosystems, ensuring alignment between partner capabilities and solutions.
Global Partner Sales Enablement Lead
Finastra
09.2021 - 03.2023
- Led global partner enablement initiatives, equipping partners to deliver measurable business outcomes.
- Partnered with Sales, Marketing and Product teams to shape go-to-market strategies and design educational tools.
- Created innovative enablement materials including training content, product positioning assets and collateral.
- Delivered insights and dashboards to track readiness, adoption and enablement success.
- Designed training programs to enhance partner capabilities and align objectives with revenue growth.
Demand Generation Enablement Manager
Finastra
09.2020 - 02.2022
- Increased pipeline quality and volume through value-based enablement and demand generation initiatives.
- Delivered consultative training to empower partners and improve alignment with sales goals.
- Identified workflow gaps and streamlined processes to improve partner efficiency.
- Guided partner teams in multichannel outreach campaigns, achieving improved engagement rates.
- Collaborated with marketing on ABM strategies to engage high-priority accounts.
- Achieved significant improvements in campaign open rates and MQLs through tailored initiatives.
Commercialisation Manager: Digital Innovation
Nedbank
12.2017 - 07.2018
- Directed strategic marketing projects for the Nedbank Wealth app, driving adoption and digital channel optimisation.
- Developed target market strategies using analytics to inform decision-making.
- Increased sales by 25% within a quarter through training, outreach and direct client engagement.
- Fostered relationships with private wealth clients, driving cross-sell and up-sell opportunities.
Regional Channel Manager
Nedbank
10.2014 - 11.2017
- Managed channel activities and enablement for a 600-strong regional team.
- Built strategic partnerships contributing £5m revenue uplift.
- Ensured adherence to banking regulations while driving sales and operational improvements.
New Business Sales Executive
Nedbank
06.2012 - 09.2014
- Secured new business and managed client portfolios, maintaining
- Prepared proposals and presented to senior stakeholders.
- Built strong relationships with clients for repeat business and referrals.
- Utilized CRM software to manage leads, track communications, and maintain accurate client records for future reference.
- Participated in networking events, building valuable connections with potential clients and industry professionals.
- Increased new business sales by developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
- Delivered engaging sales presentations, highlighting product features and benefits tailored to individual client needs.
- Identified cross-selling opportunities within existing client base by analyzing purchase history data.
Sales Development Manager
Standard Bank
08.2010 - 06.2012
- Targeted mid-corporate accounts, prepared proposals and supported acquisition activities.
- Achieved sustained sales growth through targeted outreach and client analysis.
- Developed deep understanding of customer needs, priorities and pain points to deliver customized service.
- Optimized the sales funnel by analyzing key performance metrics and implementing data-driven adjustments.
Education
BA Law - English & Legal Studies
University of KwaZulu-Natal
South AfricaMBA - Finance
London School of Business And Finance
London, United Kingdom 04.2001 -
Skills
Customer Success Strategy & Onboarding: Designing tailored success plans, onboarding frameworks and adoption programs
Financial Advisory & FAIS Compliance: Client suitability, disclosure, governance and risk management
Retention & Growth: Driving adoption metrics, upsell opportunities and net growth
Partner Program Design & Enablement: Co-sell frameworks, playbooks and sales readiness content
Training & Facilitation: Delivering consultative training, coaching and digital learning
Project Management: Managing milestones, documentation and cross-functional collaboration
Data-driven Insights: Using analytics to identify churn risks, improve health scores and inform product adoption
Accomplishments
- Excel Award 2021 — Recognised for outstanding partner digital sales training.
- Designed and delivered partner training that increased engagement and pipeline.
- Built and scaled partner programs and co‑sell frameworks that improved partner‑sourced revenue and win rates.
- Initiated partnerships and channel activities that contributed multi‑million revenue uplift.
- Improved outreach open rates and MQL generation through ABM tactics and targeted campaigns.
Software
Mochacom
Salesforce
Survey Monkey
Certification
NLP & Life Coach Certification — Action Factory NLP Coach Academy
Selected Achievements
Excel Award 2021 — Recognised for outstanding partner digital sales training.
Financial Advisory & FAIS Qualification
- Financial Advisory Experience: Delivered consultative financial advice within commercial and corporate banking, including credit proposals, portfolio management and client-facing financial solutions.
- FAIS (Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act): South Africa’s regulatory framework governing financial advice and intermediary services. FAIS-aligned training ensures compliance with fit-and-proper standards, client suitability, disclosure requirements and governance obligations.
- Value to Intelliflo: This background strengthens ability to work with regulated customers, design compliant onboarding and success programs, and align commercial outcomes with governance and risk requirements—directly relevant to Intelliflo’s mission of empowering advice professionals and improving client outcomes.
Timeline
Partner & Customer Program Engagement Lead, EMEA & APAC
Impinj
03.2023 - Current
Global Partner Sales Enablement Lead
Finastra
09.2021 - 03.2023
Demand Generation Enablement Manager
Finastra
09.2020 - 02.2022
Commercialisation Manager: Digital Innovation
Nedbank
12.2017 - 07.2018
Regional Channel Manager
Nedbank
10.2014 - 11.2017
New Business Sales Executive
Nedbank
06.2012 - 09.2014
Sales Development Manager
Standard Bank
08.2010 - 06.2012
MBA - Finance
London School of Business And Finance
04.2001 -
BA Law - English & Legal Studies
University of KwaZulu-Natal