Josh D’Amaro Takes the Helm as Disney CEO Following Bob Iger’s Retirement
Candle Media co-CEO Kevin Mayer breaks down the trade-offs of Netflix and Paramount’s competing bids for Warner Bros. Discovery on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
Disney has made a significant leadership change, appointing Josh D’Amaro as the successor to veteran CEO Bob Iger, who is set to retire at the end of the year.
D’Amaro’s journey at Disney began in the late 1990s when he started in finance at Disneyland Resort under Iger’s leadership. Iger announced his retirement on Tuesday, with D’Amaro officially taking over as CEO in March 2026. Iger, who joined Disney in 1996, will step down on December 31, 2026.
Until he assumes the CEO role, D’Amaro will continue to serve as chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
Josh D’Amaro, chairperson of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, speaks during Day 2 of the D23 Brazil: A Disney Experience at Transamerica Expo Center on Nov. 9, 2024, in São Paulo, Brazil. (Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images for Disney)
LONGTIME CEO BOB IGER TO RETIRE FROM DISNEY
As chairman, D’Amaro oversees a vast team of 185,000 cast members, employees, and “Imagineers,” who are essential to Disney’s creative engine and long-term growth. His responsibilities include managing 12 theme parks and 57 resort hotels across six global destinations, including a future landmark Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi.
Josh D’Amaro at the SXSW Conference & Festivals in the Austin Convention Center on March 8, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Adam Kissick/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)
In addition to his role as chairman, D’Amaro leads Disney Signature Experiences, which includes family travel and leisure beyond the theme parks. This encompasses Disney Cruise Line, which operates five ships and two island destinations, as well as Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, and Storyliving by Disney.
DISNEY ELEVATING THEME PARK DINING
Moreover, he oversees Disney Consumer Products, which includes the global licensing business and the company’s digital games and apps unit, highlighted by its partnership with Epic Games.
Bob Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Co., arrives for the Allen and Co. Media and Technology Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, on July 8, 2025. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
D’Amaro has been instrumental in expanding Disney’s iconic franchises by creating immersive, story-driven experiences. Notable projects include Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and World of Frozen. His efforts are part of a broader strategy to “turbocharge” Disney Experiences, which involves a 10-year, $60 billion investment in new attractions, lands, hotels, cruise ships, and technology.
DISNEY UNVEILS NEW SHOW IN PARK UNDERGOING MASSIVE TRANSFORMATION
After graduating from Georgetown University with a business degree, D’Amaro began his career at Disneyland Resort in 1998. Over the years, he has held various leadership roles in finance, business strategy, marketing, creative development, and operations, including serving as president of Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.
A statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse stands in a garden in front of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World on April 3, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
D’Amaro’s influence extends beyond Disney; he serves on the National Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish America, a long-time Disney partner that has granted over 170,000 wishes in the past 45 years. Additionally, he is a member of the United States Travel Association Leadership Roundtable.
As Disney navigates its future, D’Amaro’s leadership will be crucial, especially as the company’s shares have seen a decline of more than 9% year to date.
Candle Media co-CEO Kevin Mayer breaks down the trade-offs of Netflix and Paramount’s competing bids for Warner Bros. Discovery on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
Disney has made a significant leadership change, appointing Josh D’Amaro as the successor to veteran CEO Bob Iger, who is set to retire at the end of the year.
D’Amaro’s journey at Disney began in the late 1990s when he started in finance at Disneyland Resort under Iger’s leadership. Iger announced his retirement on Tuesday, with D’Amaro officially taking over as CEO in March 2026. Iger, who joined Disney in 1996, will step down on December 31, 2026.
Until he assumes the CEO role, D’Amaro will continue to serve as chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
Josh D’Amaro, chairperson of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, speaks during Day 2 of the D23 Brazil: A Disney Experience at Transamerica Expo Center on Nov. 9, 2024, in São Paulo, Brazil. (Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images for Disney)
LONGTIME CEO BOB IGER TO RETIRE FROM DISNEY
As chairman, D’Amaro oversees a vast team of 185,000 cast members, employees, and “Imagineers,” who are essential to Disney’s creative engine and long-term growth. His responsibilities include managing 12 theme parks and 57 resort hotels across six global destinations, including a future landmark Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi.
Josh D’Amaro at the SXSW Conference & Festivals in the Austin Convention Center on March 8, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Adam Kissick/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)
In addition to his role as chairman, D’Amaro leads Disney Signature Experiences, which includes family travel and leisure beyond the theme parks. This encompasses Disney Cruise Line, which operates five ships and two island destinations, as well as Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, and Storyliving by Disney.
DISNEY ELEVATING THEME PARK DINING
Moreover, he oversees Disney Consumer Products, which includes the global licensing business and the company’s digital games and apps unit, highlighted by its partnership with Epic Games.
Bob Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Co., arrives for the Allen and Co. Media and Technology Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, on July 8, 2025. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
D’Amaro has been instrumental in expanding Disney’s iconic franchises by creating immersive, story-driven experiences. Notable projects include Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and World of Frozen. His efforts are part of a broader strategy to “turbocharge” Disney Experiences, which involves a 10-year, $60 billion investment in new attractions, lands, hotels, cruise ships, and technology.
DISNEY UNVEILS NEW SHOW IN PARK UNDERGOING MASSIVE TRANSFORMATION
After graduating from Georgetown University with a business degree, D’Amaro began his career at Disneyland Resort in 1998. Over the years, he has held various leadership roles in finance, business strategy, marketing, creative development, and operations, including serving as president of Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.
A statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse stands in a garden in front of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World on April 3, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
D’Amaro’s influence extends beyond Disney; he serves on the National Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish America, a long-time Disney partner that has granted over 170,000 wishes in the past 45 years. Additionally, he is a member of the United States Travel Association Leadership Roundtable.
As Disney navigates its future, D’Amaro’s leadership will be crucial, especially as the company’s shares have seen a decline of more than 9% year to date.
