Barbara Bouza, An Empowering Imagineering Leader
New Position in a New World
She accepted her initial job in June 2020, at the beginning of a pandemic. Bouza says, “We were all working remotely. Only our Hong Kong and Shanghai parks had just reopened…The scale of Disney allows it to re-imagine, pivot, challenge dogma, and embrace new ideas. Imagineers always talk about taking anything that’s impossible and making it possible. I really had the opportunity to see that firsthand during the pandemic.”
Bouza believes wellness design is a great concept for Disney. She stated, “At Disney and Imagineering, it’s about experience design – the guest experience and the consumer experience. Wellness design is about physical sustainability and the responsibilities associated with it, but it’s also about mental health and mental wellbeing, which has really been challenged over these last couple of years during the pandemic.”
The Right Woman in Charge
When Disney first reached out to Barbara Bouza in 2019, it came with a surprise. “The first person I spoke to said, ‘We’re really intrigued with your background around wellbeing.’ That wasn’t what you’d typically expect. That’s something I highly value, and I was pleased that Disney recognized the importance of wellbeing design. With Imagineering creating different types of experiences, one thing I’m really excited about is where we’re looking now at experiences that are inclusive for families with a variety of needs.”
Ever Changing Disney Parks
Throughout the parks, Disney Imagineers search to create areas (for Guests and Imagineers, themselves) to calm down in a less stimulating environment while continuing Disney’s storytelling magic. Bouza explained, “An area that I want to focus on is how we can support each other better. We’re in this for the long haul, and we’re creating this environment where wellbeing and health are at the center of everything everybody.”
Also, Disney built a new office in Lake Nona due to the pandemic resulting in workflow changes and development projects. “These past couple of years have been tough for all of us and in pretty unimaginable ways, both personally and professionally,” says Bouza. “Change can be hard to grasp and understand, but we also need to stretch beyond our comfort zone. I think we’ve all learned that this past year.”
Diversity and Outreach
Multi-disciplinary Imagineering teams create opportunities for diversity. Bouza embraces her role model status as a woman of color. “To me,” Bouza elaborates, “it’s important where I represent a specific demographic, but I really represent everybody. I’m not only targeting people who look like me, but I do recognize that that’s important. There’s such a vibrant culture here at Imagineering and it’s important for us to continue to foster and grow that.”
Although Barbara Bouza acknowledges she has a different perspective from the rest of the Disney Imagineering team, she continues to keep in mind the rich legacy. Of course, she is excited about future opportunities with the rest of her team.
Article Information and Featured Image: www.inparkmagazine.com
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