Josh D'Amaro Becomes Disney CEO: Leadership Shake-up

Josh D'Amaro Named Disney CEO as Bob Iger Era Ends

Dana Walden steps into a massive new creative role as Disney overhauls its leadership structure effective March 18, 2026.

Marcus J. Delany

Mar 20, 2026, 7:43 PM PT · 1 min read

Josh D'Amaro and Bob Chapek — Photo: elisfkc2 / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

Josh D'Amaro officially became Disney CEO on March 18, 2026.
Bob Iger has stepped down from the chief executive role.
Dana Walden was appointed as President and Chief Creative Officer.
Walden's new role oversees film, television, streaming, and gaming divisions.
The restructuring aims to consolidate Disney Entertainment and Disney Experiences operations.

The House of Mouse has officially entered a new era. Effective March 18, 2026, Josh D'Amaro has succeeded Bob Iger as the Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. This transition marks the conclusion of Iger's second high-profile stint leading the entertainment giant.

In a major move to consolidate the company's creative output, Dana Walden has been appointed to the newly created position of President and Chief Creative Officer. Walden will now oversee a massive portfolio that includes Disney's streaming, film, television, and games businesses. This restructuring places nearly all of the company’s content operations under her direct supervision.

Patrick Mahomes and Josh D'Amaro — Photo: elisfkc2 / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The leadership shuffle also includes several new appointments within Disney Entertainment and Disney Experiences. By unifying these various operations, the company aims to streamline its global entertainment strategy. As D'Amaro and Walden take their new posts, industry eyes are on how this new team will navigate the evolving digital landscape.

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