Who is Josh D’Amaro, the new CEO of Disney?
Josh D’Amaro is set to take the reins as the new CEO of the Walt Disney Co. on Wednesday, succeeding the long-serving Bob Iger as the head of the iconic media and entertainment company.
With over 25 years of experience at Disney, D’Amaro, 55, has held various roles in finance, business strategy, marketing, creative development, and operations. His official start as CEO will come after Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET today.
Upon his appointment as CEO in February, D’Amaro expressed his enthusiasm for continuing to innovate and grow the company while honoring Disney’s remarkable legacy. Bob Iger served as CEO from 2005 to 2020 and again from 2022 until March 2026.
As the new CEO, D’Amaro will oversee a vast entertainment empire that generated over $90 billion in annual revenue in fiscal 2025, encompassing businesses such as theme parks, cruises, movies, and a streaming service.
His responsibilities will include leveraging Disney’s extensive intellectual property portfolio to develop new movies and theme park attractions, driving streaming growth, and expanding the sports business.
Taking the helm at a time when Disney is experiencing success at the box office with hits like “Zootopia 2” and the latest “Avatar” film, D’Amaro will also focus on growing the park business, with plans to invest in park expansions and launch a new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi.
While Disney is thriving in certain areas, the company’s stock has declined by 10% this year, signaling waning investor enthusiasm. Additionally, Disney is facing challenges in attracting foreign visitors to its theme parks.
Who is D’Amaro?
D’Amaro, a native of Medfield, Massachusetts, graduated from Georgetown University in 1993 with a degree in business administration before joining Disney in 1998.
In a letter to Disney employees, D’Amaro reminisced about his childhood visit to Disneyland, where he rode attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight. He emphasized Disney’s ability to create stories, characters, and experiences that resonate deeply with people.
His most recent role as chairman of Disney Experiences involved overseeing Disney’s theme parks and resort hotels. Under his leadership, Disney announced a $60 billion plan in 2023 to expand its domestic and international parks and cruise line capacity over a decade. He also managed Disney’s licensing business, including its collaboration with Epic Games.
During his tenure as chairman of Disney Experiences, D’Amaro oversaw the development of immersive park experiences like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus. This segment was identified by Disney as the largest and fastest-growing business segment, generating $36 billion in annual revenue in fiscal year 2025.
