BREAKING NEWS: Disney Reveals Next CEO Replacing Bob Iger

Disney has just shared a BIG update about its next CEO.

The Walt Disney Company

Following the company’s earnings call held on February 2nd, 2026, Disney announced that Josh D’Amaro will be the next CEO.

The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced that Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro was elected next Chief Executive Officer of Disney in a unanimous vote. 

Josh D’Amaro at Destination D23, 2023 ©Disney

D’Amaro will take over the role earlier than planned, on March 18th, 2026, when The Walt Disney Company holds its Annual Shareholders Meeting. The Board also intends to appoint D’Amaro as a director immediately following the meeting.

“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,” said James Gorman, Chairman of The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors.

Bob Iger and Josh D’Amaro address media at Walt Disney Imagineering event

D’Amaro is a 28-year Disney veteran and the “architect of the largest global expansion in Disney Experiences history.”

“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “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.”

Josh D’Amaro at SXSW 2023

“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,” said Josh D’Amaro, incoming CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “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.”

Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Josh D’Amaro at the 2023 Destination D23 fan convention.

In addition, Dana Walden, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, has been named President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company, also effective March 18th. Walden will report directly to D’Amaro.

“Dana Walden is an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community,” continued Iger. “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.”

Dana Walden ©Disney

Bob Iger will be stepping down before the end of his contract, which was set to expire at the end of 2026. served as CEO and Chairman from 2005 to 2020, continued on as Executive Chairman of the Board through 2021, and then returned to the CEO position in late 2022.

©Disney

Initially, his contract was meant to last through 2024, but it was later extended so he could stay on as CEO through the end of 2026. That will no longer be the case, with D’Amaro taking over in March.

CEO Bob Iger ©Disney

Succession was made a major issue upon Iger’s return. Disney’s Board provided a clear directive for Iger to work with them to find the right successor. A succession planning committee was created to find Iger’s replacement, and over the past few years, we’ve seen a variety of names listed as potential successors.

It seems the Board has been very focused on finding the “right” replacement this time, given the challenges they reportedly faced with finding a successor for Iger during his previous term and ultimately Iger’s reported “regret” over picking Bob Chapek to succeed him.

©Disney

We’ll continue to watch this situation closely as the Disney Company (and Iger, as CEO) is in the middle of a LARGE number of projects now, from new cruise ships to new movies, theme park expansions, and more. That, combined with a CEO shift, could make the next few years and the next Disney CEO’s job all the more challenging and interesting.

Stay tuned for the latest updates!

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