New Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro Takes Helm

Josh D'Amaro officially assumed the role of CEO at DIS on March 18, 2026, becoming the ninth chief executive in the company's nearly 103-year history. The transition, announced at Disney's annual shareholders meeting, sees Bob Iger move to a Senior Advisor role and board member through December 31, 2026. D'Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran, most recently led the Disney Experiences division — the company's largest segment with $36 billion in annual revenue and 185,000 employees worldwide.

D'Amaro's appointment signals a strategic pivot toward experiences-led growth and technology integration. As head of Disney Experiences, he architected the largest global theme park expansion in company history. Alongside his appointment, Dana Walden was named President and Chief Creative Officer, creating a leadership structure that pairs operational execution with creative strategy.

For DIS investors, the leadership transition raises questions about the company's strategic direction under an operations-focused CEO versus the content-driven approach of the Iger era. Key areas to watch include the trajectory of Disney+ profitability, the pace of theme park capital investment, and whether D'Amaro can maintain Disney's content pipeline while accelerating the experiences business that drove his promotion.