Bob Iger is officially departing his role as chief executive of The Walt Disney Company on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, marking the close of one of the most impactful leadership periods in American entertainment history. Josh D’Amaro, formerly the chairman of Disney Experiences, has assumed the CEO position, effective the same day, coinciding with Disney's annual shareholder meeting. D'Amaro's division previously oversaw Disney's extensive portfolio of 12 theme parks, 57 resorts, and the Disney Cruise Line, equipping him with significant operational experience within the company.
D’Amaro's journey with Disney began in 1998 at Disneyland, where he held a strategic planning role. Over nearly three decades, he ascended through various leadership positions, gaining expertise in business strategy, marketing, creative development, finance, and operations. His direct leadership experience in the parks segment culminated in his appointment as president of Disneyland Resort in February 2018. This deep operational background was a key factor in the board's decision.
While Iger is stepping down from the chief executive role, he will not immediately sever ties with the company. He is slated to transition into a senior adviser role and will remain a member of the Disney board until his full retirement from the company on December 31, 2026. This extended transition period is intended to ensure a smooth handover and continued strategic guidance.
The succession process at Disney had been a subject of internal planning and external anticipation for some time. The Wall Street Journal reported in January 2026 that Iger had expressed intentions to gradually reduce his daily management responsibilities before his contract's conclusion at the end of the year. Disney board chairman James Gorman played a pivotal role in the succession planning, chairing the board’s dedicated committee. Gorman noted that Iger made the decision to "step aside" after mentoring and developing potential successors. Gorman also recounted Iger's stated desire: "I want to step aside and I want to work with this individual, with this team, in ensuring we get off for this next decade on the strongest possible foot." The board's objective, as stated by Gorman, was to "appoint a new CEO," a goal now realized in early 2026.
The board's commitment to a robust succession plan was underscored by the challenges faced during Iger's previous attempt to hand over the CEO role. In February 2020, Bob Chapek took over as CEO, just weeks before the global onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The unprecedented health crisis disrupted global markets and necessitated immediate, drastic operational changes across Disney's diverse businesses. Chapek's tenure was ultimately cut short, as the Disney board removed him in November 2022, leading to Iger's return as CEO. This prior experience placed added pressure on the board to execute a strong and stable leadership transition this time.
Following a unanimous vote by the Disney board, D’Amaro was selected as the new CEO. Dana Walden, who served as co-chair of Disney Entertainment and was considered another top candidate, has been appointed to a new role as president and chief creative officer, also effective March 18, reporting directly to D’Amaro. Thomas Mazloum will succeed D’Amaro as chairman of Disney Experiences.
During his remarkable tenure, Iger presided over some of Disney's most significant strategic acquisitions, fundamentally reshaping the company's profile. These landmark deals included the purchase of Pixar for $7.4 billion, Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion, and Lucasfilm for $4 billion, integrating beloved and highly lucrative franchises into the Disney ecosystem. Beyond these acquisitions, Iger successfully navigated the company through the launch of Disney+, its direct-to-consumer streaming platform, a major strategic pivot in response to declining traditional television viewership. Under his leadership, Disney's streaming business achieved profitability, and the Disney Experiences segment experienced a significant post-COVID rebound, supported by a long-term strategic plan to invest $60 billion into that business.
In a formal announcement regarding his successor, Iger expressed strong confidence in D'Amaro, stating: “Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO. 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.”
