The Walt Disney Company is preparing for another major leadership transition as Bob Iger gets ready to step down as CEO and pass control of the entertainment giant to a new executive team.
After returning to Disney during a turbulent time for the company, Iger has confirmed that he will once again leave the top position, closing out a leadership run that helped reshape Disney’s global presence across film, television, streaming, and theme parks.
The company’s board of directors has chosen Josh D’Amaro, currently serving as Chairman of Disney Experiences, to succeed him. D’Amaro will officially take over the CEO role on March 18, 2026, ending months of speculation about who would become Disney’s next leader.
Iger’s path back to Disney leadership began in 2022 when he returned to the company following the departure of Bob Chapek. At that point, Disney faced several major challenges, including losses tied to its streaming services, structural changes within the company, and uncertainty throughout the entertainment industry.
During his second stint as CEO, Iger focused on restructuring Disney’s strategy and improving the company’s financial footing. As those efforts moved forward, industry watchers continued to question who would ultimately succeed him.
The decision to elevate D’Amaro reflects the importance of Disney’s Experiences segment, which includes its theme parks, cruise ships, vacation destinations, and consumer products division. That part of the company has become one of Disney’s most dependable business areas in recent years.
D’Amaro played a key role in guiding Disney’s parks through the COVID-19 shutdown period and the complex reopening process that followed. He also oversaw ongoing expansion projects across Disney’s global destinations while adapting operations to changing guest expectations.
His experience overseeing Disney’s attractions and vacation businesses ultimately positioned him as a strong candidate to lead the entire company.
The leadership reshuffle doesn’t stop there. Disney is also introducing a new creative leadership role, with Dana Walden stepping in as President and Chief Creative Officer. The new position is designed to keep storytelling at the heart of Disney’s strategy across its film studios, television networks, and streaming platforms.
Meanwhile, the Experiences division will also see a change in leadership. After D’Amaro transitions to CEO, Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum will assume the role of chairman of Disney Experiences.
Alongside the CEO change, another key executive is preparing to depart. Kristina Schake, Disney’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, will also leave the company on March 18.
“Kristina Schake, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, will depart the company after March 18, 2026, coinciding with the end of Bob Iger’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer,” the official Disney press release reads.
“Schake, who joined Disney in 2022, has served as a member of the company’s senior management team and advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors, helping to advance Disney’s business and strategic objectives, strengthen its long-term positioning, and navigate a period of significant change for the company and the broader industry,” the announcement explained.
Schake previously held a communications role after being appointed by President Joe Biden before joining Disney in 2022. In her statement, she reflected on how much the company had evolved during her tenure.
“I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve The Walt Disney Company during such a pivotal chapter in its history,” Schake said in her statement. “The company I joined in 2022 was in a vastly different place from where it is today, both reputationally and from a business perspective, and I am proud of the work our worldwide communications team has done to support Bob as he has put Disney on a steady course for growth for the next generation of leaders.”
Disney quickly announced who would step into Schake’s role following her departure.
According to the company, Paul Roeder has been promoted to senior executive vice president and chief communications officer, placing him in charge of Disney’s worldwide communications efforts (per The Hollywood Reporter). The role oversees public relations, corporate messaging, public affairs, and the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, while also serving as the primary spokesperson for the brand.
For a company with the global visibility of Disney, managing its public image is a critical responsibility. The communications team plays a central role in shaping how the company communicates with fans, investors, and the wider entertainment industry.
“Paul Roeder is an accomplished and highly respected executive with keen instincts and integrity, and he has built strong relationships in every area of the company and across the entertainment industry during his 25 years with Disney,” said D’Amaro in a statement, via THR. “He has a passion for Disney and a deep understanding of what it stands for, and I know he’ll do an outstanding job leading our exceptional Communications teams worldwide.”
The leadership transition arrives at a time when traditional entertainment companies continue adjusting to the realities of streaming platforms, new viewing habits, and evolving advertising markets.
While Disney’s theme parks and vacation businesses remain strong contributors to revenue, questions still linger about the long-term profitability of streaming. The new leadership team will be responsible for balancing creative storytelling with financial performance across Disney’s many brands and platforms.
Early reactions from investors have been measured but generally optimistic. Any leadership change at a corporation as large as Disney carries uncertainty, but D’Amaro’s long history with the company may provide stability during the transition.
Iger’s influence over Disney’s modern era remains significant. His tenure included major acquisitions, expansion of the company’s global parks and resorts, and Disney’s emergence as a major player in the streaming world.
As he prepares to leave the CEO position again, the responsibility for guiding Disney’s next phase now falls to D’Amaro and the broader leadership team.
For fans and industry observers, the next several months will reveal how Disney evolves under new leadership—and whether the company can continue delivering the stories and experiences that have defined it for more than a century.
How do you think Disney will transform in the coming years? Let us know in the comments down below!
yes and lets hope for the better