28-Year Veteran Josh D'Amaro Assumes CEO Role on March 18
Josh D'Amaro officially became the ninth chief executive in Disney's history on March 18, 2026, taking leadership of the media and entertainment conglomerate at its annual shareholder meeting. A 28-year veteran of the company, the 55-year-old D'Amaro previously served as the chairman of Disney Experiences. In that role, he oversaw the highly profitable division responsible for theme parks, cruise lines, and consumer products, which has been in what he described as an "unprecedented period of growth."
New Structure Aligns Operations with Creative Oversight
As part of the leadership transition, D'Amaro is establishing a new executive team that pairs his operational and consumer-facing background with deep creative expertise. Dana Walden, who was also a candidate for the top job, will serve as the newly appointed Chief Creative Officer and the first woman President in Disney's history, reporting directly to D'Amaro. D'Amaro has stated he will lean on Walden's deep connections in Hollywood to guide content strategy. Further appointments include 25-year company veteran Paul Roeder as the new Chief Communications Officer, signaling a focus on stable, experienced leadership for the company's next chapter.
CEO Compensation Package Targets Up to $44.7 Million
D'Amaro's promotion comes with a significant increase in compensation, reflecting the expanded scope of his new role. His first-year compensation package targets between $38.5 million and $44.7 million. This includes a $2.5 million base salary, a potential cash bonus valued at 250% of his salary, and long-term incentive stock grants valued at $26.25 million. The total is comparable to outgoing CEO Bob Iger's $45.8 million compensation in 2025 and marks a substantial raise from D'Amaro's previous pay, which was below the $6.2 million threshold for disclosure in 2025.
Edgen Stock·Mar 18 2026, 10:44
