Disney Confirms New Chief Officer Appointment as Company Exits Bob Iger Era, D'Amaro Speaks Out

A major leadership shakeup is underway at The Walt Disney Company, as longtime chief executive Bob Iger prepares to step aside and pass the reins to a new generation of leadership.

After steering the entertainment giant through a period marked by acquisitions, the rise of Disney+, and a corporate rebound following the brief Bob Chapek era, Iger confirmed he will step down once again, closing a significant chapter in Disney’s modern era.

The company’s board has chosen Josh D’Amaro, currently Chairman of Disney Experiences, to take over as CEO. D’Amaro will assume the position on March 18, 2026, ending months of industry speculation about who would ultimately lead one of the world’s most influential entertainment companies.

Iger’s recent history with Disney has been eventful. He first stepped down in 2020 before returning in 2022 during a difficult period that included streaming losses, internal restructuring, and uncertainty across the entertainment industry. During his return, Iger focused on stabilizing Disney’s financial outlook, reshaping its business strategy, and restoring confidence among investors. Even as the company regained its footing, questions about who would eventually succeed him remained a key issue.

Selecting D’Amaro signals Disney’s growing emphasis on its Experiences division, which oversees theme parks, cruise lines, resorts, and consumer products. In recent years, that segment has become one of the company’s most dependable sources of revenue.

D’Amaro guided the parks business through pandemic shutdowns, evolving guest expectations, and several major expansion efforts. His background running Disney’s global attractions and vacation businesses helped position him as a strong candidate for the top job.

The leadership shift also includes a new creative structure. Dana Walden has been named President and Chief Creative Officer, a role designed to keep Disney’s storytelling engine central to its strategy across film, television, and streaming. Following D’Amaro’s ascension to CEO, his post as chairman of Disney Experiences will now be taken by Disneyland Resort president Thomas Mazloum.

Disney Chief Communications Officer Steps Down and Is Replaced

Another leadership departure will occur the same day. Kristina Schake, Disney’s Chief Communications Officer, will leave the company on March 18 as well.

“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,” the company explained.

Schake, previously appointed by President Joe Biden, reflected on the company’s evolution during her time at Disney and the work done alongside Iger.

“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.”

Now, not long after Schake’s exit confirmation, Disney has confirmed her replacement.

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.

For a company as recognizable as Disney, maintaining a strong public image is a major priority. The communications chief plays a key role in shaping how the company presents itself to audiences, investors, and the broader entertainment industry.

“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 transition arrives as legacy entertainment companies continue adapting to the economics of streaming, shifting viewing habits, and changing advertising models.

While Disney’s parks and experiences segment has remained a reliable revenue generator, its streaming services continue to face questions about long-term profitability. The incoming leadership team will be tasked with balancing creative output with financial performance across the company’s expanding portfolio.

Investor response to the announcement has been cautious but generally positive. Leadership changes at a corporation the size of Disney always bring some uncertainty, but D’Amaro’s long tenure within the organization may provide continuity as the company moves forward.

Iger’s influence on Disney is difficult to overstate. His leadership included major acquisitions, the expansion of Disney’s global theme parks, and the company’s transformation into a major streaming player. As he exits the CEO role once again, the responsibility now shifts to D’Amaro and the next generation of executives to shape Disney’s future.

For both fans and industry watchers, the coming months will reveal how the company evolves under new leadership—and whether it can maintain the creative and experiential appeal that has defined Disney for more than a century.

How do you think Disney will change under the new leadership? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!