BREAKING: The Walt Disney Company Announces NEW CEO & Successor to Bob Iger
Everything is about to change for The Walt Disney Company.
Photo: Disney
From 2005 to 2020, Bob Iger served as The Walt Disney Company’s CEO.
Among his many achievements for the company, Iger was responsible for the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, along with the introductions of Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort.
Photo: Getty
He was succeeded by Bob Chapek in 2020.
Photo: Variety
However, the world was shocked when the Disney Board of Directors decided to suddenly remove Chapek as CEO and reinstate Bob Iger in 2022. Since then, Iger’s contract was extended through 2026, and the race to find the new CEO has been ongoing. Today, we have the answer!
The New Walt Disney Company CEO is…
The Walt Disney Company just announced this morning that Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro will be named The Walt Disney Company’s Chief Executive Officer effective March 18, 2026, at the upcoming Annual Meeting.
The board will also appoint D’Amaro as a director following the meeting.
Photo: Disney
Josh D’Amaro, 54, has been with The Walt Disney Company for 28 years, joining in 1998 at Disneyland Resort. Before serving as Chairman of the Disney Experiences segment beginning in 2020, D’Amaro was the President of Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney shared that D’Amaro is “the architect of the largest global expansion in Disney Experiences history, and has led the segment to new heights financially, creatively, and in guest satisfaction.”
Photo: Disney
Bob Iger has full faith in D’Amaro, stating, “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.”
Photo: Disney
James Gorman, Chairman of The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors, had this to say about D’Amaro:
“Josh D’Amaro possesses that rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation, a keen eye for strategic growth opportunities, and a deep passion for the Disney brand and its people – all of which make him the right person to take the helm as Disney’s next CEO. Throughout this search process, Josh has demonstrated a strong vision for the company’s future and a deep understanding of the creative spirit that makes Disney unique in an ever-changing marketplace. He has an outstanding record of business achievement, collaborating with some of the biggest names in entertainment to bring their stories to life in our parks, showcasing the power of combining Disney storytelling with cutting-edge technology. The Board believes he is exceptionally well prepared to guide this global company forward to serve our consumers around the world and create long-term value for shareholders.”
Photo: Disney
Josh D’Amaro said, “I am immensely grateful to the Board for entrusting me with leading a company that means so much to me and millions around the world. Disney’s strength has always come from our people and the creative excellence that defines our stories and experiences.
“There is no limit to what Disney can achieve, and I am excited to work with our teams across the company and brilliant creative partners to honor Disney’s remarkable legacy while continuing to innovate, grow, and deliver exceptional value for our consumers and shareholders. I also want to express my gratitude to Bob Iger for his generous mentorship, his friendship, and the profound impact of his leadership.”
Photo: Disney
And that’s not the only news! Dana Walden, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, has been named President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company, also effective March 18. Walden will report to D’Amaro and “ensure that storytelling and creative expression across every audience touchpoint consistently reflect the brand, engage audiences at scale, and advance core business objectives, while driving enterprise-wide initiatives and translating vision into action.”
EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT – Dana Walden, Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company. (Disney/Maarten de Boer)
Iger described Dana Walden as “an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community. Given that creativity is at the heart of everything Disney does, she is a wonderful choice to serve in this new leadership role. In the years since Dana joined Disney, she has accumulated great knowledge about the many facets of our businesses and brands, and is very well prepared to be President and Chief Creative Officer.”
JON KOPALOFF/GETTY IMAGES
Bob Iger will provide mentorship throughout the succession planning process, transitioning to a Senior Advisor and member of The Walt Disney Company Board until he retires on December 31, 2026.
Photo: Getty
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