New Disney CEO up from theme park

The new CEO of The Walt Disney Company is Josh D’Amaro. He was officially named as the successor to longtime CEO Bob Iger in an announcement from the company’s board yesterday.

D’Amaro will take over as CEO on March 18, 2026, following Disney’s annual shareholder meeting. He will also join the board of directors at that time.

D’Amaro, 54, is a 28-year Disney veteran. He has most recently served as Chairman of Disney Experiences (the division overseeing theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, and consumer products). Under his leadership, this segment became the company’s largest revenue driver, generating $36 billion in FY2025 and employing 185,000 people worldwide. He’s credited with driving major global expansions, record financial performance, creative innovations, and high guest satisfaction in the parks business.

Bob Iger (74), who has led Disney for nearly two decades across two stints (2005–2020 and 2022–present), will step down as CEO on March 18 but remain as a senior advisor and board member until his full retirement on December 31, 2026. The board described the decision as unanimous, praising D’Amaro as an “exceptional leader” mentored by Iger.

Alongside D’Amaro’s appointment, Dana Walden (head of Disney’s television and streaming content) was named President of The Walt Disney Company and will serve as a key partner in creative oversight.

This ends a multi-year, closely watched succession process following Iger’s return in 2022 after the brief and turbulent tenure of prior CEO Bob Chapek (also from the parks side). D’Amaro’s selection emphasizes Disney’s strengths in experiential businesses amid challenges in streaming, linear TV, film performance, and broader industry shifts.

In his statement, D’Amaro expressed gratitude to Iger for his mentorship and excitement about honoring Disney’s legacy while innovating for growth and shareholder value. He described himself as a “big risk taker” focused on creativity, people, and delivering exceptional experiences.