Barbara Bouza

Barbara Bouza, FAIA 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. Imagineers immerse guests in story-driven experiences that create memories of a lifetime by connecting physical, digital, and live entertainment worlds. Through instilling a culture of curiosity to make the impossible possible, some of Barbara’s favorite projects include Avengers Campus with the flying Stuntronic robots, the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser travel experience, and Fantasy Springs immersive land and hotel in Tokyo. In 2021, Fast Company recognized Imagineering as a Best Workplace for Innovators. Imagineering was also honored by SCI-Arc during the 50th Anniversary.

Prior to being recruited by The Walt Disney Company, Barbara served as Co -Managing Director, Principal for Gensler Los Angeles incubating new practice areas and working with clients such as Netflix, Sony, JPL/NASA, Amgen, and City of Hope. With over 30 years of experience as a licensed architect, Barbara still draws upon her time at Morphosis, Foster + Partners, RBB Architects and Pei Partnership Architects.

Barbara is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, was the 2019 AIA Los Angeles president, and founding president of Architecture for Communities Los Angeles. She served on the board of Imagine LA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing the community to end the cycle of family homelessness and poverty. Through her impact in design and technology, she was awarded the 2022 Distinguished Leader Award by the New York Hall of Science.

Barbara received her 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 Kaplicky of Future Systems.