Josh D’Amaro Named Next CEO of The Walt Disney Company

Dana Walden will become President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company as part of a broader leadership transition that names Josh D’Amaro as the company’s next CEO. Both appointments take effect March 18, following Disney’s Annual Meeting, when D’Amaro will succeed Robert A. Iger as CEO.

D’Amaro, currently Chairman of Disney Experiences, will assume leadership of the company’s largest business segment, which generated $36 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2025 and employs approximately 185,000 Cast Members and employees worldwide. A 28-year Disney veteran, D’Amaro has overseen the company’s most expansive period of global growth in parks, resorts, and experiences, including major franchise-driven expansions across Disney’s theme parks and destinations.

“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,” D’Amaro says. “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.”

Concurrent with D’Amaro’s appointment, Walden will step into a newly created enterprise-wide role overseeing creative strategy across all Disney businesses. As Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, Walden has led Disney’s global film, television, streaming, and news operations. In her new position, she will report directly to D’Amaro and guide storytelling and creative alignment across Disney’s content, brands, and consumer touchpoints, marking the first time the company has established a centralized Chief Creative Officer role.

“Dana Walden is an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community,” Iger says. “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.”

Iger, who has led Disney for nearly two decades across two tenures, will transition to Senior Advisor and remain on the Board of Directors through the end of 2026. Since returning as CEO in 2022, Iger has focused on restructuring the company, strengthening creative leadership, restoring financial discipline, and positioning Disney for long-term growth across streaming, ESPN, film studios, and Disney Experiences.

“I am incredibly proud to step away at a moment when Disney’s future has never been brighter,” Iger adds. “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 groundbreaking partnerships just announced with OpenAI and the NFL, to the countless upcoming creative projects that will enthrall audiences around the world.”

The leadership transition concludes a multi-year succession planning process led by a special Board committee formed in 2023. The process included evaluation of internal and external candidates, executive development, and long-term organizational planning. Both D’Amaro and Walden participated in extensive preparation, mentorship, and leadership development as part of the transition.

Under the new structure, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman and ESPN Chairman James Pitaro will continue in their current roles, providing continuity across key divisions. The company’s senior leadership team will remain in place as Disney enters its next phase, with a focus on creative growth, franchise expansion, and global consumer engagement.