Emily Dow is paving the way for embedding sustainability into Walt Disney Imagineering’s processes. She is the Design Studio executive for Imagineering and the co-leader of the global Design & Delivery Studio, where she leads the interdisciplinary design team that creates the built worlds of Disney’s theme parks, resorts, and cruise ships. Her team includes master planning, sustainability, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, graphic design, and theme lighting design.
The company has announced an ambitious set of environmental goals for 2030. It is aiming for net-zero Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030, zero-carbon electricity, water stewardship, low-impact materials, zero waste in operations, and a science-based target for Scope 3 emissions by the end of 2022.
“We’re also striving toward 90% construction waste diversion in our US and in our European markets this decade,” said Dow, in conversation with blooloop in 2022. “We added this very specific focus and call to action for sustainable design. It holistically brings together all of these different goals to make sure that we have a clear mission. Every single new project that we deliver at Walt Disney Imagineering is designed to meet our commitments.”
Before holding this position, Dow was the global leader of design strategy for the Design and Planning Studio. Prior to being a studio leader, she was a senior design manager for the Shanghai Disney Resort project. For this role, she relocated to China for multiple years to lead an international team of designers, architects and engineers to design and execute the two themed areas of Mickey Avenue and Gardens of Imagination.
Throughout Dow’s 18-year WDI career she has contributed as both a designer and leader to bring Disney stories to life across the globe and is a strong advocate of sustainable design. She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s School of Architecture and Interior Design and a Cincinnatus Presidential Scholarship recipient.