Josh D’Amaro Named Disney CEO as Bob Iger Hands Over the Reins

The Walt Disney Company has officially chosen its next leader.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro has been elevated to CEO of The Walt Disney Company, marking the end of a closely watched, multi-year succession process. The company’s board of directors voted unanimously on the decision, which will take effect at Disney’s annual meeting on March 18.

At the same time, Disney named Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Entertainment, as President and Chief Creative Officer — a newly created role that places her in charge of storytelling and creative strategy across the entire company. Walden will report directly to D’Amaro.

Meanwhile, longtime CEO Bob Iger will step aside from the top job but remain at Disney as a senior advisor through the end of his contract on December 31.

A new chapter for Disney

“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” Iger said in the official announcement, praising D’Amaro’s deep understanding of the Disney brand and his ability to balance creativity with operational discipline.

Disney Chairman James Gorman echoed that sentiment, calling D’Amaro a rare mix of inspiring leader, innovator, and brand steward.

D’Amaro, 54, becomes only the eighth CEO in Disney’s 103-year history. A 28-year company veteran, he joined Disney in 1998 and has held senior roles across finance, marketing, strategy, and operations in both the U.S. and abroad. He took over the parks and experiences division in 2020 — just as the Covid pandemic forced global shutdowns — and helped guide the business through recovery.

Under his leadership, Disney’s Experiences division has become a major growth engine, spanning theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, games, and apps. The company has committed $60 billion to the segment over the next decade, including a new theme park planned for Abu Dhabi. In fiscal 2025, Experiences revenue rose 6% to $36.2 billion.

Dana Walden’s expanded creative role

Walden’s new title reflects Disney’s renewed focus on creativity at every level of the company. While Disney has not detailed her full responsibilities, the company said she will ensure that storytelling across all platforms reflects the brand, engages global audiences, and supports business goals.

Walden joined Disney in 2019 following its acquisition of most of 21st Century Fox, where she had been CEO of Fox Television Group. Since then, she has overseen ABC, Disney Television Studios, FX, and key streaming and international operations. During her tenure, ABC has been the No. 1 entertainment network for four straight years, with hits like Abbott Elementary and Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.

Why Disney chose an insider

D’Amaro was one of four internal candidates considered for the CEO role, alongside Walden, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, and Disney Entertainment co-chair Alan Bergman. The board briefly explored outside candidates but ultimately decided Disney’s scale, global reach, and iconic brand were best suited to a leader who already knew the company inside and out.

The board also considered a co-CEO structure — a model used recently by companies like Netflix and Comcast — but opted for a single CEO with a strong creative partner.

The road ahead

D’Amaro takes over at a challenging time for Disney and the wider media industry. Linear TV continues to decline, sports rights are becoming more expensive, and streaming — while now profitable for Disney — still has an uncertain long-term business model.

Artificial intelligence is another looming issue. Disney has begun using AI in its parks and productions and recently surprised Hollywood by investing in OpenAI and licensing select characters for its Sora video platform, even as tensions with creative unions remain high.

Still, Iger expressed confidence in Disney’s future.

“The company is in much better shape today than it was three years ago,” he said. “Trying to preserve the status quo is a mistake — and I’m certain my successor will not do that.”

With D’Amaro stepping into the corner office and Walden guiding Disney’s creative vision, the entertainment giant is betting that experience, storytelling, and steady leadership will carry it into its next era.