Paula Neston

Paula Neston serves as the Cultural Practice Executive, where she leads strategy, client partnerships and end-to-end execution across the museum, zoo and broader cultural landscape. Bringing more than 27 years in exhibit design and fabrication, she is known for a collaborative, transparent approach and a knack for turning complex ideas into immersive, story-driven environments. 

Paula joined DI in 2025 after senior roles rooted in Los Angeles’ creative community, including Design Director at Cinnabar, Show Set Lead at BRC Imagination Arts, facility and show set architecture with THG and Technical Design Manager at Lexington Scenery. Her portfolio spans marquee cultural and entertainment destinations such as “The Secret Life of Pets” at Universal Studios Hollywood, exhibits at the National Museum of American History and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. A graduate of the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) with a Bachelor of Architecture, Paula is an AIA Associate who bridges design vision with operational rigor to help institutions engage audiences, grow impact and deliver lasting, story-rich experiences.