Disney The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors just announced that Josh D’Amaro will become its next Chief Executive Officer taking over from Bob Iger on March 18. D’Amaro has been a long time Disney executive, working for the company for the past twenty-eight years. Since 2020 he has been chairman of the Disney Experiences (formerly Parks & Resorts).
Bob Iger was Disney CEO from 2005 until his retirement in 2020. Under his leadership the company acquired several big studios and IP’s, including Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and parts of 21st Century Fox, as well as the opening of Shanghai Disneyland. After his retirement then-chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Bob Chapek took over, leading the company through the difficult COVID period. His leadership was criticized by friends and foes, leading him to be ousted by the board in 2022 with Iger coming back ad-interim. Originally it was announced his return would only be for two years with a creation of a Succession Planning Committee in 2023. However, his mandate was extended until earlier this year the news came 2026 would be his final year as the company chief. He wil step down in six weeks.
Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO. He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver some of our most ambitious projects. His ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary and I am thrilled for Josh and the company.
Robert A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company
Dana Walden will become President and Chief Creative Officer. She currently is co-chairman of Disney Entertainment. Previously she was chairman and CEO of the Fox Television Group. According to industry sources, her name was among the contenders for the CEO role. If chosen that would have made her the first female CEO in its hundred year history.
