Barbara Bouza Joins SCI-Arc Board of Trustees

SCI-Arc is proud to welcome Barbara Bouza, FAIA, to its Board of Trustees. A distinguished leader in architecture and design, Bouza brings extensive experience in shaping immersive, story-driven environments at the intersection of technology, entertainment, and human-centered design.

“I am thrilled to join the SCI-Arc Board of Trustees,” Bouza said. “Our commitment to push the boundaries of architecture and design for human well-being creates unique opportunities for students to have a meaningful impact on the future.”

Bouza is the former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, where she led the global team behind the creation of Disney theme parks, attractions, resorts, cruise ships, R&D, and live entertainment experiences worldwide. Under her leadership, Imagineering delivered groundbreaking projects such as Avengers Campus with flying Stuntronic robots, the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser travel experience, and Fantasy Springs in Tokyo. In 2021, Fast Company recognized Imagineering as a Best Workplace for Innovators, and SCI-Arc honored the organization and Bouza during its 50th Anniversary.

Prior to Disney, Bouza was Co-Managing Director and Principal at Gensler Los Angeles, where she helped incubate new practice areas and worked with clients including Netflix, Sony, JPL/NASA, Amgen, and City of Hope. With over 30 years of experience as a licensed architect, she has also contributed to renowned firms such as Morphosis, Foster + Partners, RBB Architects, and Pei Partnership Architects.

A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and past president of AIA Los Angeles, Bouza is also the founding president of Architecture for Communities Los Angeles. She has served on the board of Imagine LA, a nonprofit dedicated to ending family homelessness and poverty and was honored with the 2022 Distinguished Leader Award by the New York Hall of Science for her impact on design and technology.

Bouza holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and studied in the Graduate Design program at the Architectural Association in London under Ron Herron of Archigram and Jan Kaplický of Future Systems.

Her appointment reinforces SCI-Arc’s mission to foster bold experimentation and transformative ideas in architecture, ensuring the next generation of designers are equipped to shape the future.