Disney Taps Parks Boss D'Amaro as New CEO, Signaling Stability and Profit Focus

The 55-year-old D'Amaro, known for his affable leadership style, will take over from longtime CEO Bob Iger and guide Disney through industry disruption.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:31pm

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Disney's board has selected Josh D'Amaro, the current head of the company's lucrative Parks division, to be its new CEO starting on March 18. D'Amaro, a 24-year Disney veteran, is seen as a consensus pick who represents stability and a focus on profitability as the entertainment giant navigates massive industry changes driven by streaming and AI. While D'Amaro is known for his approachable leadership style, he will need to develop new skills to manage Disney's creative businesses beyond the parks.

Why it matters

Disney's choice of D'Amaro signals the company wants to prioritize financial performance and steady leadership as it faces disruption in the entertainment industry from streaming, AI, and other technological shifts. D'Amaro's background running the lucrative parks business, combined with the promotion of entertainment chief Dana Walden, suggests Disney is focused on shoring up its most profitable divisions while navigating an uncertain future.

The details

D'Amaro, who turns 55 on February 10, has been with Disney since 1998 and most recently served as the chairman of the Parks, Experiences and Products division, which has been a financial standout compared to the company's linear TV business. By tapping D'Amaro and elevating Walden to the role of president and chief creative officer, Disney appears to be reorganizing to provide D'Amaro with strong support as he transitions to the CEO role, which he is expected to hold for a long tenure given his relatively young age. While D'Amaro is known for his affable, approachable leadership style that has made him popular with Disney park visitors, he will need to develop new skills to manage the company's creative businesses beyond the parks division.

  • D'Amaro will take over as Disney CEO on March 18, 2026.
  • Longtime CEO Bob Iger plans to retire later in 2026 after remaining in an advisory role.

The players

Josh D'Amaro

The 55-year-old Disney veteran who has been tapped to become the company's new CEO, replacing longtime chief Bob Iger. D'Amaro has been with Disney since 1998 and most recently served as the chairman of the Parks, Experiences and Products division.

Bob Iger

The longtime Disney CEO who plans to retire later in 2026 after remaining in an advisory role. Iger previously retired as CEO in 2020 but returned to the role shortly after.

Dana Walden

The Disney entertainment and TV chief who has been promoted to the role of president and chief creative officer, likely to provide support and assistance to the incoming CEO D'Amaro.

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What they’re saying

“The company appears to be reorganizing in ways that shore up his shortcomings.”

— Jo-Ellen Pozner, Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business (Business Insider)

“D'Amaro definitely feels like a man of the people.”

— Jo-Ellen Pozner, Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business (Business Insider)

What’s next

Disney's board will work closely with D'Amaro to ensure a smooth transition as he takes over the CEO role from Iger in March 2026.

The takeaway

Disney's selection of the affable, profit-focused D'Amaro as its new CEO signals the company's desire for stability and financial performance as it navigates major industry disruption from streaming, AI, and other technological shifts. The promotion of entertainment chief Dana Walden to a key creative role also suggests Disney is shoring up D'Amaro's strengths to help him succeed in the top job.