Josh D’Amaro Named CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Dana Walden To Become President, CCO

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Disney has announced that Josh D’Amaro, currently head of Disney Experiences, will take over as CEO, replacing Robert Iger.

The change will happen at Disney’s yearly meeting on March 18, 2026. After the meeting, D’Amaro, who has worked at Disney for 28 years, will also join the Disney Board.

D’Amaro Brings Decades of Leadership to the Role

As a huge Disney fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the people behind the magic. Right now, Ken D’Amaro is in charge of Disney Experiences – basically, everything from the parks to the cruises and beyond. It’s the biggest part of the whole Disney company, bringing in around $36 billion every year and employing a massive 185,000 people all over the world. It’s incredible to think about the scale of what he oversees!

Since he took charge, Disney parks and resorts have grown more than ever before, becoming known for immersive stories and cutting-edge technology.

He’s worked on major projects like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Avengers Campus, and is currently involved with new areas based on Avatar and Monsters, Inc.

Endorsements from Iger and the Disney Board

Disney Board Chairman James Gorman commended D’Amaro for being a leader who uniquely blends creativity, strategic thinking, and a genuine love for the Disney brand.

According to James Gorman, Chairman of The Walt Disney Company, Josh D’Amaro is the ideal choice for Disney’s next CEO. Mr. Gorman highlighted Josh’s inspiring leadership, innovative thinking, and strong understanding of Disney’s brand and employees. Throughout the CEO search, Josh demonstrated a clear vision for Disney’s future and a knack for blending creativity with technology, successfully collaborating with major entertainment figures to enhance Disney’s parks. The Board of Directors is confident Josh is well-equipped to lead the company, deliver value to customers worldwide, and benefit shareholders long-term.

Bob Iger, who is stepping down as CEO, agreed, describing D’Amaro as a fantastic leader who naturally understands the Disney brand and expertly balances imaginative ideas with practical execution.

According to Robert Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Josh D’Amaro is the ideal choice to be the next CEO. Iger praised D’Amaro’s natural feel for the Disney brand and his strong understanding of what appeals to viewers. He also highlighted D’Amaro’s ability to successfully manage complex projects by combining innovative ideas with careful execution, expressing excitement for both D’Amaro’s future and the company’s.

Dana Walden Elevated to President and Chief Creative Officer

Dana Walden, who is currently a Co-Chairman at Disney Entertainment, has been promoted to President and Chief Creative Officer as part of a broader leadership change.

Walden will report directly to D’Amaro and will be responsible for guiding Disney’s storytelling efforts throughout the entire company. This is a newly created position – the first of its kind at Disney.

Bob Iger praised Dana Walden as a highly respected leader within the creative world. He emphasized that, because creativity is so central to Disney, she’s a fantastic fit for her new position. Iger also noted that Dana’s years with Disney have given her a deep understanding of the company’s various businesses and brands, making her well-equipped to be President and Chief Creative Officer.

Bob Iger to Serve as Senior Advisor Until Year-End

Iger will remain on the Disney Board and serve as Senior Advisor through the end of 2026.

Since taking the helm again in 2022, Bob Iger has been concentrating on four main goals: making better movies, turning a profit with streaming services, establishing ESPN as the leading digital sports provider, and expanding the Disney Experiences business.

His tenure has been widely credited with stabilizing the company during a turbulent period.

Succession Planning Years in the Making

D’Amaro’s appointment is the result of a several-year plan. A special committee was formed in 2023 to identify and prepare for this leadership transition.

As a long-time follower, I’m really impressed with how carefully they’re handling the leadership change. They didn’t just pick someone quickly – they looked at people both within the company and from outside, offered mentorship to help develop talent, and even planned out how the whole structure would shift. What’s even better is that the committee making these decisions includes leaders from some major Fortune 500 companies, so you know they’re taking this seriously and making a really strategic choice.

Senior Leadership Team Remains Intact

D’Amaro will be working with a strong leadership team, including Alan Bergman, who runs Disney Entertainment, and James Pitaro, head of ESPN, along with other key executives who were instrumental in carrying out Bob Iger’s plans to change the company.

The team’s shared experience ensures a smooth transition and solid performance as the company moves forward.

Josh D’Amaro’s Career and Vision

Jeff D’Amaro, age 54, has been with Disney since 1998, taking on leadership roles at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, as well as overseeing international operations. Now the Chairman of Disney Experiences, he’s responsible for all 12 Disney theme parks and 57 resorts around the world, plus businesses like Disney Cruise Line, consumer products, and new projects like Storyliving by Disney, as well as collaborations with companies like Epic Games.

Josh D’Amaro, the new CEO of The Walt Disney Company, expressed his deep appreciation to the Board for giving him this opportunity, saying Disney is a company he cares about deeply, as do millions of fans worldwide. He believes Disney’s success comes from its talented people and the quality of its storytelling. D’Amaro is confident in Disney’s potential and looks forward to working with everyone at the company and its creative partners to build on Disney’s history of innovation and continue delivering great experiences for both customers and investors. He also thanked Bob Iger for his guidance, friendship, and strong leadership.

Speaking for the entire Board, we want to express our sincere thanks to Bob Iger for his outstanding leadership and commitment to Disney. We asked Bob to return as CEO in 2022 for two main reasons: to navigate a difficult period of change and prepare Disney for the future, and to build a strong team of leaders, including potential future CEOs. He successfully achieved both of these goals, and also steered Disney through a major period of change with a bold plan that has solidified its position as a global leader in entertainment. After leading Disney for almost twenty years, Bob Iger’s time as CEO has been marked by significant growth, a constant focus on creative excellence and innovation, and responsible management of this beloved company.

The Iger Legacy and What’s Next for Disney

Iger emphasized that Disney is “more agile and resilient” than it was three years ago.

As a lifelong Disney fan, it’s genuinely heartwarming to hear Bob Iger talk about leaving the company at such a high point. He seems really confident in Disney’s future, and I totally get why! He mentioned all these exciting things happening – a new park in Abu Dhabi, collaborations with OpenAI and the NFL, and a ton of upcoming movies and shows – and it all sounds incredibly promising. It’s clear Disney has meant the world to him, and honestly, it’s shaped so much of the entertainment I love. It’s a beautiful sentiment, and I’m excited to see what Disney does next, carrying on Walt’s vision.

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2026-02-04 00:04