A new chapter is about to begin at The Walt Disney Company (DIS) as longtime chief executive Bob Iger prepares to step down once again, handing leadership of the entertainment powerhouse to a new CEO.
After years guiding Disney through a rapidly changing media environment—including the launch and expansion of Disney+, major company acquisitions, and a corporate recovery following the Bob Chapek period—Iger confirmed he will leave the role and close out another era of leadership at the company.
Disney’s board has selected Josh D’Amaro, currently Chairman of Disney Experiences, to succeed Iger as CEO. D’Amaro will officially take over the position on March 18, 2026, bringing an end to months of speculation about who would ultimately lead the iconic entertainment company into its next phase.
Iger’s relationship with Disney over the past several years has included several twists. He initially stepped down as CEO in 2020 before returning to the position in 2022 during a challenging time for the company. At the time, Disney was dealing with streaming losses, internal restructuring, and widespread uncertainty across the entertainment landscape.
During his return, Iger worked to stabilize Disney’s finances, adjust its business priorities, and rebuild investor confidence. Even as the company regained momentum, the question of who would eventually replace him remained front and center.
Naming D’Amaro as CEO highlights Disney’s increasing focus on its Experiences division, which includes theme parks, cruise lines, vacation resorts, and consumer products. In recent years, that segment has become one of the company’s most consistent revenue drivers.
D’Amaro helped steer Disney’s parks division through the pandemic closures and the complicated reopening process that followed. He also oversaw a number of expansion projects and worked to adapt the parks’ experience as guest expectations evolved. His leadership within Disney’s global attractions and vacation businesses ultimately helped position him as a leading contender for the top job.
The executive shakeup also includes a shift in Disney’s creative leadership structure. Dana Walden has been named President and Chief Creative Officer, a role intended to ensure Disney’s storytelling efforts remain at the center of the company’s strategy across film, television, and streaming platforms.
Following D’Amaro’s promotion to CEO, leadership of the Experiences division will also change hands. Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum will step into the role of chairman of Disney Experiences.
Another notable departure will occur the same day as Iger’s exit. Kristina Schake, who currently serves as Disney’s 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,” it explains.
Before joining Disney, Schake previously served in a communications role within the Biden administration. Reflecting on her time at the company, she shared her appreciation for the opportunity to support Disney during a critical moment.
“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.”
Shortly after confirming Schake’s departure, Disney also announced who would take over the role.
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.
At a company with the global reach of Disney, the communications office plays a critical role in managing how the brand interacts with fans, investors, and the entertainment industry at large.
“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 comes as traditional media companies continue adapting to major industry changes. Streaming services, evolving viewing habits, and shifts in advertising revenue have reshaped how entertainment companies operate.
Disney’s parks and experiences division continues to perform strongly, but the company’s streaming platforms still face scrutiny over long-term profitability. The incoming leadership team will need to balance creative ambitions with financial realities across Disney’s expanding portfolio.
So far, investor response to the announcement has been cautious but largely positive. Leadership transitions at a company the size of Disney always carry some uncertainty, but D’Amaro’s long career with the organization may offer a sense of continuity moving forward.
Iger’s legacy at Disney remains significant. His time as CEO included some of the company’s largest acquisitions, the continued expansion of Disney’s theme parks around the world, and the company’s transformation into a major streaming competitor.
Now, as Iger prepares to step away from the CEO role once again, the responsibility of guiding Disney’s next chapter will fall to D’Amaro and a new generation of executives.
For Disney fans and industry observers alike, the coming months will provide the first glimpse of how the company evolves under new leadership—and whether it can continue delivering the storytelling and experiences that have defined Disney for more than 100 years.
How do you think Disney will adapt under Josh D’Amaro? Let us know in the comments down below!
