The Walt Disney Co. has named Christine M. McCarthy their Chief Financial Officer, after the resignation of Jay Rasulo. Kevin Mayer has been appointed Chief Strategy Officer of The Walt Disney Company.
McCarthy will report to Bob Iger, Disney’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who said, “Christine has done an incredible job as Disney’s Treasurer over the past 15 years, and her strong leadership and keen financial acumen make her an ideal Chief Financial Officer. She is highly respected in the finance sector, and in this new role she will have even more impact on creating value for Disney shareholders.”
McCarthy moves from her role as Executive Vice President, Corporate Real Estate, Alliances and Treasurer. In her new role she will “oversee Investor Relations, Corporate Planning and Control, Tax, Corporate Treasure, Corporate Real Estate, Facilities, Integrated Supply Chain Management, and Corporate Citizenship.” She said, “I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with the role of CFO of this incredibly dynamic company. Under Bob’s leadership, Disney has delivered record results, and I look forward to working with our talented senior management team as we build on the company’s financial strength and strong balance sheet to deliver shareholder value.”
McCarthy began her career at Disney in 2000, after working with First Interstate Bancorp from 1981 to 1996 and Imperial Bancorp from 1997 to 2000. Her final position at Imperial Bancorp was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Of Mayer, Iger said, “Kevin has overseen Corporate Strategy and Business Development at a time of unprecedented growth for Disney, playing an integral role in our successful acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm. With this promotion to the new role of Chief Strategy Officer he will continue to focus on growth opportunities and help position the company for the future.” Mayer will report to Iger and Tom Staggs, Chief Operating Officer.
Mayer began his career at Disney in 1993 as Manager, Strategic Planning for all interactive, television and internet businesses. Mayer left for a time, during which he was Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Interactive and partner and head of Global Media and Entertainment at L.E.K. Consulting LLC. Coming back to Disney in 2005, Mayer served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development.
Mayer said, “I’m extremely gratified to be given this opportunity to further expand Disney’s assets and businesses. Disney’s growth has been incredible these past several years, and I am proud of the role my group has played in facilitating that expansion and excited by the strategic opportunities that lie ahead for the company.”
Leah grew up in a little farming town in Illinois, right on the Mississippi River. Her Chicago-born husband, David, left the city for her, and they're now raising their three children (Jacob, Jonah and Lydia) just 12 miles from her hometown. As the Senior Editor of the DIS (wdwinfo.com), Leah spends a lot of time writing about, reading about, and discussing Disney. So, it should come as no surprise that one of her family's favorite ways to spend time is going to Walt Disney World and traveling on Disney Cruise Line. She also enjoys shopping, watching movies with her husband and doing crafts with and for her kids.
