Emily Down 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.
Before holding this position, Emily was the global leader of design strategy for the Design and Planning Studio. Prior to being a studio leader, Emily 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 Emily’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. Emily is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s School of Architecture and Interior Design and a Cincinnatus Presidential Scholarship recipient. She is also the proud mother of two young daughters.
