The Walt Disney Company board of directors on Tuesday unanimously named Josh D’Amaro as the company’s next CEO, marking the second time in six years the entertainment giant has moved to replace longtime leader Bob Iger.
D’Amaro, 54, has served as chairman of Disney Experiences since 2020. His appointment follows a nearly 30-year career with the company that began in 1998. He previously held the presidencies of both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.
In his current role, D’Amaro oversees 12 theme parks and 57 resort hotels across the U.S., Europe and Asia, as well as a future Disney theme park coming to Abu Dhabi.
A Georgetown University alumnus with a degree in business administration, D’Amaro also serves on the national board of Make-A-Wish America and the United States Travel Association’s leadership roundtable.
Disney credits D’Amaro as the “architect of the largest global expansion in Disney Experiences history.”
The company noted he played a key role in expanding the “Star Wars,” Marvel and “Frozen” franchises into immersive park experiences.
While D’Amaro is a frequent public face for the brand, he has kept a tight lid on his personal life. He has not publicly disclosed his political or religious affiliations, instead focusing his public persona on Disney creative strategies and corporate associations.
Iger, who returned as CEO in 2022 following the rocky tenure of Bob Chapek, praised his successor’s balance of “creativity with operational excellence.”
“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” Iger said in a statement, noting D’Amaro’s “instinctive appreciation” for the Disney brand.
D’Amaro expressed gratitude for the trust he received from the board to lead Disney. He noted, “Disney’s strength has always come from our people and the creative excellence that defines our stories and experiences.”
He said he looks forward to collaborating with global teams to honor the company’s legacy while continuing to drive innovation and shareholder value. He also thanked Iger for his mentorship and leadership.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, now owner of Portsmouth Football Club, offered advice to the incoming chief on X.
“Congratulations to Josh D’Amaro for becoming the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, and congratulations to Chairman James Gorman for making such a wise pick as well as promoting Dana Walden to president and chief creative officer,” Eisner wrote. “My advice to Josh is continue Bob Iger’s strategy that creativity will handle profits, always protect the brand, and keep close the words of Walt Disney: ‘We love to entertain kings and queens, but the vital thing to remember is this—every guest receives the VIP treatment.’ Good luck."
Disney adds new chief creative officer
In addition to D’Amaro’s new appointment, the company announced that Dana Walden, Disney Entertainment co-chairman, will step into a newly created role as president and chief creative officer of The Walt Disney Co. and will report to D’Amaro.
Iger added that Walden “is an excellent leader who commands tremendous respect from the creative community.”
D’Amaro and Walden’s new appointments will go into effect on March 18.