The Walt Disney Co.'s board chair James P. Gorman (left) with incoming CEO Josh D'Amaro, incoming president and chief creative officer Dana Walden, and outgoing CEO Bob Iger. (Disney photo)
Disney Appoints Experiences Chief Josh D’Amaro as CEO, Effective March 18
February 3, 2026
In a surprise announcement, The Walt Disney Co. Tuesday announced that Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro will succeed Bob Iger as CEO on March 18, the day of the company’s annual meeting.
D’Amaro also will take a seat on the company’s board of directors immediately after the meeting.
Also on March 18, Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Entertainment, moves up to president and chief creative officer, a newly created role in which she will report to D’Amaro.
“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,” said James Gorman, chairman of The Walt Disney Co. board of directors. “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.”
D’Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran, is currently head of the company’s largest business segment with $36 billion in annual revenue (in FY2025) and 185,000 employees worldwide. According to Disney, he is “the architect of the largest global expansion in Disney Experiences history, and has led the segment to new heights financially, creatively, and in guest satisfaction.”
Outgoing CEO Iger said 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.”
Walden currently leads Disney’s entertainment media, news and content businesses globally, including the company’s streaming businesses.
“Dana Walden is an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community,” Iger said. “Given that creativity is at the heart of everything Disney does, she is a wonderful choice to serve in this new leadership role.”
Iger after March 18 will continue to serve as senior advisor and a member of the Disney board until his retirement from the company on Dec. 31.
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