Thea Catalyst Awards: Sina Bahram and Carmen Smith

Recognizing individuals who have recently made an important impact benefiting the industry

Sina Bahram

Founder of Prime Access Consulting (PAC) - Inspirational accessibility consultant, computer scientist, researcher, speaker, and entrepreneur

In 2012, Sina was recognized as a White House Champion of Change by President Barack Obama for his doctoral research work enabling users with disabilities to succeed in STEM fields. That was also the year Sina founded PAC to support building a more inclusive world. The company employs a holistic approach involving principles of inclusive design, standards compliance, training, and best practices. Believing that accessibility is sustainable when adopted as a culture, not just a tactic, Sina and his team work collaboratively to promulgate accessibility and inclusive design throughout the fabric of an organization. Under Sina's direction, PAC has helped over 100 organizations meet and exceed their inclusivity goals, from the creation of accessible websites, mobile apps, mixed reality experiences, and immersive environments to achieving a comprehensive, inclusive design methodology across the enterprise. In addition to serving on and chairing various boards, conferences, committees, and working groups across corporate, non-profit, and research entities, Sina collaborates with the United Nations and serves as an invited expert on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) working group where he helps shape the next generation of digital accessibility standards and best practices. In 2021, Sina was selected to be a Mission: Astro Access ambassador, which aims to make space and space travel accessible to all. Consequently, Sina and his fellow ambassadors tested various accessibility and inclusive design strategies in microgravity aboard a zero gravity flight. Projects/clients include: Obama Presidential Center, Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Cooper Hewitt SI Design Museum, Library of Parliament, Baltimore Museum of Art, New York Botanical Gardens, BC Museum of Anthropology, Compound LA, Canadian Museum of Nature, Musée national de la Marine, Smithsonian Open Access, M+ Museum of Visual Culture and American Museum of Natural History.

Carmen Smith

Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Development Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (DPEP)

In her role for DPEP, Carmen Smith leads a holistic, global approach to offering more inclusive products and experiences and expanding Disney’s reach, relevance and impact with guests and consumers around the world. She performs these functions for the entirety of the DPEP business segment, which consists of Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Live Entertainment, and Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing. Among her responsibilities, Carmen guides global relevancy assessments to identify issues and address concerns; advises on content to make sure Disney’s stories, characters, products and experiences are culturally accurate, authentic, inclusive and devoid of stereotypes; diversifies external partnerships and collaborations; and ensures thoughtful representation and engagement throughout the creative development process. Carmen also oversees the creation of content as both an executive producer and executive creative director. In her previous role as vice president of Creative Development - Inclusive Strategies for Walt Disney Imagineering, Carmen was responsible for developing a diverse pipeline of products, themed experiences and people to enhance Imagineering’s consultant talent and its creative processes globally. Prior to joining Imagineering, she served as the vice president of Talent Development Programs for the Disney/ABC Television Group. Carmen serves on the executive boards of the Urban Resource Institute, East West Players, Jenesse Center Inc., the Robey Theatre Company, and the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation. A native of New York, Carmen graduated from Hunter College with a degree in communication arts and received a Master’s in International Administration from New York University. She holds an honorary doctorate from Manhattan College and completed the Harvard University Women and Power Executive Education Program at John F. Kennedy School of Government.

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