Disney’s board-constituted succession committee conducted a comprehensive review of more than 100 internal and external candidates before narrowing the field to two finalists. The year-long process combined in-depth performance assessments, leadership simulations and stakeholder interviews to evaluate each candidate’s track record in driving revenue growth, margin expansion and cultural alignment with Disney’s heritage. This exhaustive search marks one of the most extensive CEO hunts in Disney’s history and reflects the board’s insistence on selecting a successor capable of guiding the company through its next decade of transformation.

On March 18, Disney veteran Josh D’Amaro will assume the role of chief executive officer, succeeding Bob Iger, who will remain on Disney’s board of directors and serve as strategic adviser through December 31. D’Amaro, 54, has led Disney Experiences since 2020, overseeing theme parks, resorts and consumer products. Concurrently, Dana Walden—formerly chairman of Disney Television and Streaming—will become president and chief creative officer, charged with driving film, television and streaming content. This dual-leadership framework is designed to balance operational excellence in Disney’s most profitable segment with continued investment in original content development.

Under D’Amaro’s stewardship, the Experiences division posted record first-quarter revenue of $10.0 billion, an 8% year-over-year increase, building on a full-year 2025 segment revenue of $36.2 billion (up 6%). Looking ahead, Disney has earmarked $60 billion in capital expenditures over the next decade to expand global park footprints and enhance guest monetization through premium offerings. On the media side, Disney+ and ESPN+ have moved from combined quarterly losses to low-double-digit profit margins, with management targeting sustainable 10% segment margins by fiscal 2027. Investors will watch whether the new leadership can leverage Disney’s unmatched franchise portfolio across parks, theatrical releases and streaming to reverse the stock’s three-year flat performance and drive long-term shareholder value.