The Board of Directors of The Walt Disney Company has unanimously elected Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro as the company’s next chief executive officer, the company announced. D’Amaro will assume the role at Disney’s Annual Meeting on March 18, 2026, succeeding longtime CEO Bob Iger. The board also plans to appoint D’Amaro as a director immediately following the meeting.
D’Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran, currently leads the company’s largest business segment, Disney Experiences, which generated approximately $36 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2025 and employs about 185,000 cast members and employees worldwide. He has overseen what Disney describes as the largest global expansion in the segment’s history, driving financial growth, new attractions, and improved guest satisfaction.
“Josh D’Amaro possesses a rare combination of inspiring leadership, innovation, and a deep passion for the Disney brand,” board chairman James Gorman said in a statement, citing D’Amaro’s strategic vision and track record of collaborating with major entertainment partners to bring new experiences to Disney parks around the world.
Iger, who has led Disney for nearly two decades across two tenures, praised D’Amaro’s blend of creativity and operational discipline, calling him “the right person to become our next CEO.”
As part of the leadership transition, Disney also announced that Dana Walden, currently co-chair of Disney Entertainment, will become President and Chief Creative Officer, effective March 18. The newly created role is a first for the company. Walden will report directly to D’Amaro and will oversee storytelling and creative strategy across Disney’s businesses, including film, television, and streaming.
Iger will remain involved with the company after stepping down as CEO, serving as a senior advisor and board member through the end of 2026. Since returning as CEO in 2022, Iger led a broad restructuring and strategic reset aimed at restoring financial discipline, strengthening Disney’s studios, achieving profitability in streaming, positioning ESPN for a digital future, and accelerating growth in Disney Experiences.
D’Amaro said he is honored to lead the company at what he described as a pivotal moment. “Disney’s strength has always come from its people and creative excellence,” he said. “I’m excited to build on the company’s remarkable legacy while continuing to innovate and grow.”
Background on D’Amaro
D’Amaro, 54, has served as chairman of Disney Experiences since 2020 and previously led both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. He joined Disney in 1998 and has held senior leadership roles across finance, marketing, strategy, and operations in the U.S. and internationally.
His current portfolio includes oversight of 12 theme parks and 57 resort hotels worldwide, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, consumer products, Walt Disney Imagineering, and several digital ventures. He has played a key role in expanding major franchises through attractions such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Avengers Campus, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Future projects include new themed lands at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, as well as international expansion plans.
D’Amaro holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgetown University.
The board said D’Amaro’s selection follows a multi-year succession planning process launched in 2023, which included evaluating internal and external candidates and extensive mentorship under Iger. The company’s senior leadership team, including Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman and ESPN Chairman James Pitaro, will remain in place as Disney enters its next chapter.
