Maya is a seasoned design leader and educator with over 15 years of experience in the tech industry. Based in London, she brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to building products and teams.

Outside of work, she spends time with her rescue husky, Sheba. Her love language is hosting dinner parties and sharing food with friends

& Educator

Design Leader

LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY

Design leadership is about more than just shipping great work—it's about creating an environment where designers feel safe, supported, and inspired to do their best. Over the years, I’ve shaped a set of guiding principles that reflect how I lead teams, grow talent, and navigate complex challenges. These principles are at the core of how I build trust, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful impact.

I create a foundation of trust and psychological safety for my team. By setting clear boundaries and fostering transparency, I empower designers to do their most creative work. I encourage open, honest feedback in both directions—giving and receiving—to continuously improve and grow together.
Strong leadership means making clear, timely decisions. I provide my team with a clear vision and path forward, reducing ambiguity and enabling focus and confidence in execution.
I believe talent is developed, not innate. Designers thrive when given the right scope and understanding of their impact. I invest in nurturing skills and mindset, helping individuals grow into rockstars through support, challenge, and opportunity.
I lead by example and am not afraid to roll up my sleeves. Being hands-on allows me to stay connected to the work, guide effectively, and inspire by showing commitment alongside my team.
I believe pairing designers and encouraging teamwork is essential to solving complex problems. Designers thrive through collaboration, learning, and synergy rather than working in isolation.
Effective leadership requires managing expectations both upstream and downstream. I emphasize picking your battles wisely, understanding trade-offs, and knowing your non-negotiables. Collaboration is rooted in appreciating and integrating diverse perspectives.