Disney Confirms Leadership Change With New CEO Replacing Bob Iger

The Walt Disney Company has finally answered the biggest question in entertainment by naming Josh D’Amaro as its next Chief Executive Officer. Following a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors.

The company announced on Tuesday that the current head of Disney Experiences will take the lead on March 18. This date coincides with the company’s Annual Meeting, where D’Amaro will officially take over from long-time leader Bob Iger.

D’Amaro has spent 28 years with Disney, rising through the ranks to oversee the company’s massive portfolio of theme parks, cruise lines, and consumer products. Under his leadership, this segment brought in a staggering $36 billion in revenue during the 2025 fiscal year.

Board Chairman James Gorman praised the choice, stating that Josh D’Amaro possesses that rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation needed to guide the brand into a new era.

The transition marks the end of Bob Iger’s second stint as CEO, which began when he was called back from retirement in 2022 to stabilize the company. Iger expressed full confidence in his successor, noting that D’Amaro has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand and the skills to handle the company’s most ambitious goals. While Iger will step down as CEO in March, he plans to stay on as a senior advisor until he officially retires on December 31.

Dana Walden has been named as the new President and Chief Creative Officer. Walden currently serves as the Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment and will now oversee the creative direction for everything from film and television to streaming and news. Reporting directly to D’Amaro, she will be responsible for ensuring that Disney’s storytelling remains world-class across all its different platforms.

D’Amaro shared his excitement about the new role, mentioning that he is immensely grateful to the Board for entrusting me with leading a company that means so much to me.

He has already been the architect of some of Disney’s biggest modern expansions, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the World of Frozen. Fans are looking forward to his continued influence as the company moves forward with new projects like a Villains-themed land and a Monsters, Inc. area.

While this leadership change is a major focus, Disney is also coming off a strong year at the box office with hits like Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash. The company has also been making headlines for its massive $1.5 billion partnership with Epic Games to bring Disney characters into the world of Fortnite. On the television side, Walden has recently overseen award-winning hits like The Bear and Only Murders in the Building, which continue to drive subscribers to Disney+ and Hulu.

Looking ahead, the new leadership team will manage a packed slate of upcoming movies, including the release of Toy Story 5 and the live-action remake of Moana starring Dwayne Johnson.

They are also preparing for the debut of a new theme park in Abu Dhabi and further investments in artificial intelligence through a partnership with OpenAI. With D’Amaro and Walden at the helm, the company appears ready to tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing media landscape while keeping the classic Disney magic alive.

What are your thoughts on Josh D’Amaro taking the lead, and how do you think his background will influence the future of Disney’s movies and streaming? Share your thoughts in the comments.