Barbara Bouza is the new president of Walt Disney Imagineering with Disney veteran Bob Weis moving to an ambassador role

Nov 30, 2021 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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Posted: Tuesday November 30, 2021 3:11pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineering has a new leader, which sees Disney veteran Bob Weis step down to be replaced by Disney newcomer Barbara Bouza.

Barbara Bouza has quickly climbed the ranks at Disney

Barbara joined WDI in June 2020. Before that, she was co-managing director, principal, of Gensler Los Angeles where she brought strategic design management to clients including Netflix, and JPL/NASA. Barbara holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and studied in the Graduate Diploma Program at the Architectural Association in London.

Bob Weis will become a Global Ambassador for WDI

As part of a reshuffle in March 2021, Bouza became President, Walt Disney Imagineering – Business Management, Design & Development, and Bob Weis moved to President, Walt Disney Imagineering – Creative and New Experience Development.

With this latest organizational change, Bob will transition to a role once occupied by WDI legend Marty Sklar, Global Imagineering Ambassador.

Walt Disney Imagineering is in the midst of a significant rebirth, with the company deciding to relocate the vast majority of WDI to Lake Nona in Florida. The move, which has been seen by some as an effort to clear out WDI, has seen several high profile departures with many long-serving Imagineers choosing not to make the move to Florida.

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DCBakerDec 19, 2022

Bob Weis did an interview with the Park Blog to discuss highlights of his career with Disney - https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/12/bob-weis-reflects-on-prolific-career-at-walt-disney-imagineering/

_calebOct 23, 2022

I don’t think they need an experienced Imagineer to run WDI. But I do think they need someone who understands the parks and immersive storytelling. It seems the more artistic and creative folks are increasingly being pushed out while uncreative executives continue to make all the decisions.

mitchkOct 23, 2022

How did I not know about this… I guess I haven’t been around the site for a while… I think it’s a horrible decision and move putting someone who has no previous experience in charge of the entire creative department for the entire company… it’s insane to me… But I guess they need someone to blame for their screw ups… Looks like they found one

Cmdr_CrimsonOct 22, 2022

Huh....I thought they were called...

Magicart87Oct 22, 2022

In name only.

Captain NeoOct 22, 2022

Does WDI even exist anymore?

celluloidOct 21, 2022

Even better is the recent shift of the guy that is CEO of the theme parks is the guy who was the head of Universal Creative. Good things in the future for sure.

SirwalterraleighOct 20, 2022

…all hail the queens of the minute clinics!

RteetzOct 20, 2022

Its for Walt Disney Studios so I would assume for a movie/series for theatrical or Disney+. Could even be something like Figment which is getting a movie.

doctornickOct 20, 2022

Is the screenplay for a movie or show that is related to the parks?

RteetzOct 20, 2022

He's writing a screenplay for the studios.

DCBakerOct 20, 2022

D23 has posted an interview with Bob - https://d23.com/bob-weis-to-retire-from-imagineering-after-42-years/

DCBakerOct 20, 2022

Bob Weis has announced his retirement and officially departs Disney on January 2, 2023.

ImperfectPixieJan 24, 2022

The sign shop I worked for was originally owned by a non-creative tight-wad a la Chapek. It was bought by a guy who "liked the idea of owning a graphics shop", and who was relatively business savvy, but had no clue of the day-to-day functions involved in a creative business. His ability to acknowledge his weaknesses and listen to the higher-level employees in each department who were directly involved in the processes of production allowed him to get rid of the employees that were leeching a paycheck and increase production in a huge way throughout each department, which resulted in raises for virtually everyone and dramatically increased morale. I left when he and his wife were forced to sell the company to yet another Chapek-minded POS because he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was really heartbreaking...his enthusiasm and excitement about where he wanted the business to go were contagious, and he genuinely cared about his employees.