Imagine building a thriving career in UX design only to have the rug pulled out from under you—twice. Meet Beril Maples, a design leader whose story weaves together early architectural dreams, tech-era pivots, and the resilience required to navigate unexpected setbacks.
From Childhood Blueprints to a New Canvas
Have you ever set your sights on a future career at the age of eight? For Beril, that moment came when she wandered into a family friend’s architectural studio and fell in love with a sprawling set of building plans. Architecture seemed like the perfect blend of art and problem-solving—something she would chase through college and even graduate school in New York.
Yet fate had other ideas. As a student at Columbia University’s architecture program, Beril discovered the lure of technology. She worked with cutting-edge software and even helped classmates embrace the digital tools shaping modern design. This newfound fascination would soon eclipse her original plans.
Open Question: What happens when the very field you’ve trained for gives way to a passion you never expected?
A Leap into the Tech Unknown
When the dot-com era dawned, Beril took a bold turn. Forget the lengthy timelines and rigid codes of architecture—she was drawn to the dynamism of technology. She joined a startup at the height of the boom, diving into UX at a time when formal training in the discipline was rare.
But the ride was bumpy. As the dot-com bubble burst, Beril experienced her first layoff. Suddenly, her carefully laid plans evaporated. She faced immigration hurdles and the daunting pressure of finding a new job quickly in a collapsing market.
Reflective Moment: How do you hold onto your sense of worth in challenging times? Beril’s story shows that setbacks aren’t verdicts on your talent—they’re moments that can spark reinvention.
Resilience Through Reinvention
Beril fought back tears, updated her résumé, and applied everywhere. Against the odds, she found a way through. She rejoined her previous company within a short time, dodging a bullet as other firms folded around her.
This early test shaped her approach to design and career growth. She learned to adapt, seek help from mentors, and leverage every experience—both good and bad—to strengthen her foundation. Over time, Beril honed the skills to navigate challenging conversations with product managers, negotiate constraints with engineers, and deliver meaningful user experiences.
Open Question: Could the roadblocks that impede your path forge a more resilient, resourceful version of you?
From B2B Rigor to Consumer Curiosity
At Salesforce, Beril climbed from individual contributor to design leader, overseeing cross-functional teams and aligning complex initiatives. She loved the craft but soon craved variety. After years of crafting enterprise tools, Beril stepped into uncharted territory again—this time at Rodan + Fields, a skincare company undergoing digital transformation.
Switching industries wasn’t easy. She had no direct consumer-tech experience but knew how to highlight her strengths and promised to learn what she didn’t know. The gamble paid off, proving that staying open to new verticals can spark professional growth and deepen your skill set.
Takeaway: When you dare to break out of your comfort zone, you gain perspective, transferable skills, and the ability to thrive in unfamiliar terrain.
Scaling Up at Google: A New Chapter
Eventually, Google came calling. As a senior manager and then a director, Beril faced a familiar truth: leadership in large organizations isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about building alliances, understanding the business’s needs, and championing your team’s growth.
She learned to balance empathy with candor, invest time in high performers and those who struggled, and align design outcomes with larger business goals. Her experience taught her that no title—senior manager, director, or beyond—exempts you from building relationships and influencing stakeholders. The difference lies in the scale and complexity of the challenges you face.
Reflective Moment: How do you retain your passion for mentoring and supporting others as responsibilities grow? For Beril, it meant evolving from hands-on guidance to fostering ecosystems where design talent thrives.
Weathering Layoffs and Embracing Change—Again
Even after reaching a prestigious role at Google, Beril faced another layoff when the tech giant downsized. Despite her established career, it stung. She questioned her worth and wrestled with self-doubt. But Beril’s earlier experiences had forged a resolute spirit. She reminded herself that these upheavals are rarely about one’s abilities but about shifting company priorities and market forces beyond any individual’s control.
Instead of despair, Beril leaned on her support network, connected with peers navigating the same uncertainties, and reflected on her achievements. She knew each challenge could be a catalyst for reinvention and every disappointment an invitation to explore new opportunities.
Open Question: After unexpected setbacks, can you refocus on your strengths, rediscovering the value you bring to any role you choose next?
Advice for the Uncertain Times
For those feeling the weight of an uncertain market or facing the reality of layoffs, Beril’s journey offers guidance:
Own Your Narrative: Highlight your unique contributions and results at past jobs. Customize your résumé and portfolio to resonate with potential employers.
Stay Curious and Agile: Don’t box yourself into one industry. Embrace the opportunity to learn new domains.
Seek Mentors and Allies: Ask for help, share your struggles, and learn from others. A strong support network can lift you when self-doubt creeps in.
Resilience Over Perfection: Accept that not every role will be your dream job, and not every project will go smoothly. These experiences build resilience and adaptability.
Redefine Setbacks as Opportunities: Layoffs and rejection letters aren’t the end of your story—just chapters that can lead you to reinvent, redirect, and rise stronger.
Looking Ahead
Beril’s path is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to explore unfamiliar territories. From studying architecture in Turkey to shaping enterprise software at Salesforce, from pioneering new directions at Rodan + Fields to guiding teams at Google, her story reminds us that success in UX—or any field—often involves embracing the unexpected.
Are you prepared to turn setbacks into stepping stones and harness the lessons hidden in each career twist?
If you’re as inspired by Beril’s journey as I am, I invite you to watch the full interview. Her insights into career pivots, negotiation, leadership, and resilience hold lessons for anyone navigating an uncertain market.
👉 Watch the full interview with Beril Maples here
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Which part of Beril’s story resonated most with you? Feel free to reach out and share your reflections.
Until next time,
Chris ✌️
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