The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced today that, in a unanimous vote held on Monday, it elected Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro to become Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, effective at the upcoming Annual Meeting on March 18, 2026, when he will succeed longtime Disney CEO Robert A. Iger. The Board also intends to appoint D’Amaro as a director immediately following that meeting. As head of the company’s largest business segment with $36 billion in annual revenue in FY2025 and 185,000 Cast Members and employees worldwide, D’Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran, has overseen the expansion of Disney Experiences globally and has led the segment financially and operationally, and in guest satisfaction.
Concurrent with D’Amaro’s appointment, Dana Walden, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, has been named President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company, also effective March 18. As Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, Walden has led Disney’s entertainment media, news, and content businesses globally, including Disney’s streaming businesses. In this new role, Walden will report directly to D’Amaro and will oversee storytelling and creative expression across the company, with responsibility for ensuring alignment with the brand and supporting business objectives, while driving enterprise-wide initiatives and translating vision into action.
Bob Iger has provided mentorship to internal candidates throughout the succession planning process, and upon transition will continue to serve as Senior Advisor and a member of the Disney Board until his retirement from the company on December 31, 2026.
Iger has led Disney through a period of creative and business development during his time leading the company. Since his return in 2022, he has overseen a strategic transformation, guiding Disney through industry disruption and positioning it for long-term growth. As part of this period, Iger restructured the organization, adjusted leadership responsibilities, and focused on financial discipline, establishing four strategic priorities: strengthening the quality and economic output of the film studios, delivering sustained profitability in streaming, positioning ESPN for digital growth, and expanding Disney Experiences. Today, Disney is operating with a revised structure, and D’Amaro will assume leadership of the company following this period of change.
“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,” said Josh D’Amaro, incoming CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “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 creative partners to honor Disney’s legacy while continuing to innovate, grow, and deliver value for our consumers and shareholders. I also want to express my gratitude to Bob Iger for his mentorship, his friendship, and the impact of his leadership.”
“On behalf of the entire Board, we extend our gratitude to Bob Iger for his leadership and dedication to The Walt Disney Company,” continued Gorman. “The Board asked Bob to return as CEO in 2022 for two reasons. First, to lead the company through a transition and ensure Disney was positioned for the future. Second, to strengthen the leadership bench and help develop candidates for the CEO transition. Bob has delivered on both priorities, while also guiding Disney through a period of change with a strategy that has strengthened its position as an entertainment company. After nearly two decades leading Disney, the Iger era has been defined by growth, a commitment to creativity and innovation, and stewardship of this institution.”
“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,” said James Gorman, Chairman of The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors. “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.”
“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” said Robert A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “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.”
“Dana Walden is an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community,” continued Iger. “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.”
“I am incredibly proud to step away at a moment when Disney’s future has never been brighter,” continued Iger. “I’m confident Disney will continue to innovate and put the spirit of Walt at the heart of everything it does – from its new park in Abu Dhabi to the partnerships just announced with OpenAI and the NFL, to the upcoming creative projects that will reach audiences around the world. Disney has shaped who I am as a leader, and I will always be grateful to this company and for the opportunity to lead it over all these years.”
