Josh D’Amaro to Succeed Robert A. Iger as CEO of The Walt Disney Company; Dana Walden Named President and Chief Creative Officer
Left to right: James P. Gorman, Josh D’Amaro, Dana Walden, Robert A. Iger • Photo Credit: The Walt Disney Company
BURBANK, Calif., February 15, 2026 (ENTERTAINMENT INTERVIEWS) — The Walt Disney Company has announced that its Board of Directors has elected Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro to serve as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 18, 2026.
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D’Amaro will succeed Robert A. Iger at the company’s upcoming Annual Meeting. The Board also intends to appoint D’Amaro as a director immediately following the meeting. Dana Walden, currently Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, has been named President and Chief Creative Officer, also effective March 18.
Dana Walden and Josh D’Amaro • Photo Credit: The Walt Disney Company
As Chairman of Disney Experiences since 2020, D’Amaro has overseen 12 theme parks and 57 resort hotels worldwide. The segment reported $36 billion in annual revenue in fiscal year 2025 and employs approximately 185,000 cast members and employees globally. D’Amaro joined Disney in 1998.
“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,” said James Gorman, Chairman of The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors.
Iger will continue to serve as Senior Advisor and a member of the Disney Board until his retirement on December 31, 2026. He returned as CEO in 2022 and led a strategic transformation of the company focused on film studios, streaming profitability, ESPN’s digital positioning, and growth across Disney Experiences.
“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,” said Robert A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company.
D’Amaro will assume leadership with support from the company’s senior management team, including Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman and ESPN Chairman James Pitaro.
“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,” said Josh D’Amaro, incoming CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
Walden’s newly created role as President and Chief Creative Officer will focus on overseeing storytelling and creative expression across the company’s brands and platforms. She will report directly to D’Amaro.
“Dana Walden is an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community. 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,” said Robert A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company.
D’Amaro’s appointment concludes a multi-year succession planning process led by a special committee of the Board formed in January 2023.
For more information, visit www.disney.com.
Source: The Walt Disney Company
