Disney Announces New Era with Josh D’Amaro as CEO

Josh D’Amaro has been elected as the new chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, taking effect on March 18 following the company’s annual shareholders meeting. He will succeed Bob Iger, who remains on the board in a senior advisory role until his retirement at the end of 2026.

At 54 years old and with nearly three decades of experience at Disney, D’Amaro will lead the largest and most profitable division—Disney Experiences. This segment generated $36 billion in revenue during the 2025 financial year, encompassing theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, consumer products, and live entertainment worldwide.

Previously, as chairman of Disney Experiences, D’Amaro spearheaded the company’s largest-ever global expansion, including significant park projects tied to franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, Frozen, and Avatar. He also led Disney’s strategic partnerships with large digital companies, such as its collaboration with Epic Games. In his previous roles, he served as president of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

In addition to D’Amaro’s promotion, Dana Walden has been appointed as the new president and chief creative officer in a newly created position. Walden will report directly to D’Amaro and oversee creative strategy across Disney’s studios, networks, and streaming platforms, emphasizing storytelling as the company’s core business.

D’Amaro begins his tenure in March, stepping into a period of intense competition within streaming services, ambitious theme park expansion, and evolving audience preferences. With Iger remaining on board as a senior adviser during this transition, Disney is positioning for continuity as it enters its next phase.