Josh D’Amaro to succeed Bob Iger as Disney CEO, Dana Walden named president

L-R: James P Gorman, Josh D’Amaro, Dana Walden and Bob Iger

The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company has chosen Josh D’Amaro, head of its parks and experiences division, as its next CEO.

D’Amaro will officially take up the position on March 18, 2026, succeeding longtime CEO Bob Iger.

Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, who had been in contention for the top job, has been named president and chief creative officer.

Disney said its board of directors voted unanimously in favour of appointing D’Amaro CEO on Monday.

Disney described D’Amaro, who has been with the company for almost 30 years, as the “architect of the largest global expansion in Disney Experiences history,” adding that he had “led the segment to new heights financially, creatively and in guest satisfaction.”

Iger said: “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.”

Disney board chair James P Gorman said 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.”

He added that during the CEO search process, D’Amaro had “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.”

Walden, meanwhile, will “ensure that storytelling and creative expression across every audience touchpoint consistently reflect the brand, engage audiences at scale, and advance core business objectives, while driving enterprise-wide initiatives and translating vision into action,” Disney said. She will report to D’Amaro.

“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. 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.”