Disney Names Josh D’Amaro CEO As Dana Walden Takes Creative Helm

The Walt Disney Company, a name synonymous with imagination and entertainment, is preparing for a major change at the very top. On February 3, 2026, the company announced that Josh D’Amaro will step into the role of Chief Executive Officer, succeeding the legendary Bob Iger. The official handover will take place at Disney’s annual meeting on March 18, 2026, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the entertainment giant.

Alongside this pivotal transition, Dana Walden has been appointed as Disney’s first-ever President and Chief Creative Officer, a move that signals the company’s commitment to both operational excellence and creative innovation. The decisions, unanimously approved by Disney’s Board of Directors, reflect an extensive, multi-year succession planning process that underscores the company’s long-term strategic vision.

Josh D’Amaro, a 28-year veteran of Disney who joined the company in 1998, is no stranger to steering large-scale operations. As the current Chairman of Disney Experiences, he oversees a sprawling global network that includes 12 theme parks, 57 resort hotels, Disney Cruise Line, and a host of consumer products. Under his leadership, the Experiences segment generated a staggering $36 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2025 and is supported by a workforce of 185,000 employees worldwide, according to The Walt Disney Company’s official announcement.

D’Amaro’s fingerprints are all over some of Disney’s most ambitious projects in recent years. He played a key role in the creation of immersive attractions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Avengers Campus, and the World of Frozen. He’s also championed new ventures, such as the upcoming Monsters, Inc.-themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a new Avatar destination at Disneyland Resort. The company even has plans for a new park in Abu Dhabi, further expanding its global footprint.

James Gorman, Chairman of Disney’s Board, praised D’Amaro’s leadership, saying, “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.” Gorman added that D’Amaro’s vision for the company’s future and his understanding of the creative spirit that defines Disney were key factors in the board’s decision.

Outgoing CEO Bob Iger echoed this sentiment, 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.”

D’Amaro, 54, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “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.”

Bob Iger’s influence at Disney has been profound. Returning as CEO in 2022 after previously holding the role from 2005 to 2020, Iger led the company through a period of significant industry disruption. He restructured the organization, empowered creative leaders, and restored financial discipline. His strategic priorities included strengthening Disney’s film studios, achieving sustained profitability in streaming, positioning ESPN as a premier digital sports destination, and accelerating growth across Disney Experiences. Iger will continue to serve as Senior Advisor and a member of the board until his retirement on December 31, 2026. As Gorman noted, “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.”

While D’Amaro’s operational expertise is unquestioned, the appointment of Dana Walden as President and Chief Creative Officer addresses another crucial dimension of Disney’s identity: its creative heart. Walden, who joined Disney after the 2019 acquisition of Fox, has steadily risen through the ranks, most recently serving as Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment. In her new role, she will oversee all of Disney’s entertainment content, including film, television, Hulu, Disney+, and marketing, reporting directly to D’Amaro.

Walden’s portfolio is impressive. She has shepherded hit shows such as Only Murders In the Building, Abbott Elementary, American Horror Story, and The Bear. She also managed the integration of Disney’s linear and streaming businesses, prioritized technology upgrades for platforms like Hulu, and navigated challenges such as the YouTube TV blackout of Disney channels. Her compensation package, as disclosed in a recent SEC filing, is valued at $24 million, while D’Amaro’s is set at $38 million.

Walden’s appointment is historic, making her the first person to hold the dual title of President and Chief Creative Officer at Disney. “This is a dream job for me – I’m grateful to Bob Iger and the Disney board for this opportunity to build on Disney’s wonderful legacy and carry our creative endeavors into the future,” Walden shared in a statement on Instagram.

The new leadership structure also sees Alan Bergman, fellow Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman, reporting to Walden, while ESPN remains a standalone unit under Jimmy Pitaro, who will now report directly to D’Amaro. This arrangement, as Deadline reports, is rare in the aftermath of a CEO succession, allowing Disney to retain two strong leaders with complementary skill sets.

Gorman highlighted the importance of creativity at Disney, stating on CNBC, “If you think about what is the heart of the Disney company, it’s the creativity. It’s this amazing IP that’s been produced over decades, going back to Walt, and the storytelling that comes from that creativity. And I think Dana, working with Josh and ensuring that the best creativity permeates all of our businesses, is what we wanted.”

The road to this leadership transition was anything but hasty. The Board’s Succession Planning Committee, led by Gorman and comprising directors with deep experience in CEO transitions, undertook a deliberate, multi-year process. Both D’Amaro and Walden received extensive mentorship from Iger, external coaching, and direct engagement with board members. This thorough approach, detailed by ABC News and The Walt Disney Company, was designed to ensure continuity, stability, and a clear strategic direction as Disney enters its next era.

As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve rapidly, Disney’s new leadership team faces both immense opportunities and formidable challenges. Yet with D’Amaro’s operational acumen and Walden’s creative prowess, the company appears well positioned to honor its storied legacy while charting a bold course for the future.

With the baton passed and the stage set, Disney’s next act is about to begin—one that promises to blend the magic of its past with the promise of new adventures ahead.