The Walt Disney Company board has elected Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro to become the company’s next chief executive officer, with the appointment set to take effect at Disney’s Annual Meeting on March 18, 2026. D’Amaro will succeed Robert A. Iger, who has led Disney for much of the past two decades and returned to the top job in 2022.
The board vote was held on Monday and was unanimous, according to the company. Following the March 18 transition, the board also intends to appoint D’Amaro as a director. Disney positioned the move as the culmination of a multi-year succession planning process that included internal and external candidate evaluation, mentorship and coaching, and regular board engagement.
D’Amaro arrives in the CEO role after leading Disney’s Experiences segment, described by the company as its largest business, with $36 billion in annual revenue in fiscal 2025 and a global workforce of roughly 185,000 cast members and employees. A 28-year Disney veteran, D’Amaro has overseen the theme parks and resorts portfolio, Disney Signature Experiences and related businesses, and consumer products, alongside Walt Disney Imagineering and select digital initiatives, including the collaboration with Epic Games tied to a Disney universe within Fortnite. The company also highlighted a slate of recent and upcoming park and franchise expansions during his tenure, including new and planned lands and destinations across key properties.
At the same time, Disney is elevating Dana Walden to President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company, effective March 18, 2026. The role is described as a first for the enterprise and is designed to place storytelling and creative expression under a single enterprise-wide leadership mandate. Walden, currently Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, will report directly to D’Amaro and is expected to align creative execution across the company’s audience touchpoints with broader business objectives.
Iger’s transition is structured to keep him engaged through the end of 2026. After stepping down as CEO on March 18, he will continue to serve as Senior Advisor and as a member of the Disney board until his retirement from the company on December 31, 2026. Disney credited Iger with reshaping the organization since his 2022 return, citing a restructuring, renewed authority for creative leaders, and tighter financial discipline. The company also reiterated four strategic priorities it says have guided the transformation: improving the quality and economics of the film studios, achieving sustained profitability in streaming, positioning ESPN as the premier digital destination for sports fans, and accelerating growth across Disney Experiences.
Disney also emphasized leadership continuity beyond the CEO transition, noting that Disney Entertainment Co Chairman Alan Bergman and ESPN Chairman James Pitaro are expected to remain in their roles alongside the new structure, supported by a broader bench of long-tenured executives.
The company framed D’Amaro’s rise as the endpoint of a formal board-led process launched in early 2023, when it formed a special Succession Planning Committee. Disney said the committee has been chaired by James Gorman since 2024 and currently includes directors Mary T. Barra, Jeremy Darroch, and Calvin R. McDonald, and that the group met regularly to assess candidates and transition designs.
KEY QUOTES
“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.”
“On behalf of the entire Board, we extend our deepest gratitude to Bob Iger for his extraordinary leadership and dedication to The Walt Disney Company. The Board asked Bob to return as CEO in 2022 for two critical reasons. First, to lead the company through a challenging transition and ensure Disney was fit for purpose for the future. Second, to strengthen the leadership bench and to help develop candidates for the CEO transition. Bob has delivered on both priorities, while also guiding Disney through a transformative period with an ambitious strategy that has further strengthened its position as the world’s premier entertainment company. After nearly two decades leading Disney, the Iger era has been defined by enormous growth, an unyielding commitment to excellence in creativity and innovation, and exemplary stewardship of this iconic institution.”
James Gorman, Chairman, The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors
“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.”
“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. 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. Disney has shaped who I am as a leader, and I will always be grateful to this extraordinary company and for the opportunity to lead it over all these years.”
Robert A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company
“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.”
Josh D’Amaro, Incoming CEO, The Walt Disney Company
