It’s official — today, Josh D’Amaro takes over as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, as Bob Iger steps down.
Disney first confirmed the succession plan in early February, noting that D’Amaro would take over sooner than expected. The transition became official during the company’s Annual Meeting on March 18th, 2026.
D’Amaro shared a message following the original announcement, focusing on the people behind the company’s success. “The most important part of Disney will always be the people,” D’Amaro said in an Instagram post. “I have had the pleasure of working with tens of thousands of Cast, Imagineers and employees over the years… and it is because of them and the millions of Disney fans around the world that I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to lead this extraordinary company.”
Disney’s Board of Directors approved the move with a unanimous vote on February 2nd.
Iger expressed confidence in the choice: “Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” Iger said. “He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver some of our most ambitious projects. His ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary and I am thrilled for Josh and the company.”
While Iger has stepped down from the CEO role, he isn’t departing entirely just yet. His current contract runs through the end of 2026; he will remain on as Senior Advisor and a member of the Disney Board until his second retirement on December 31. He has also spent time mentoring D’Amaro ahead of the transition, and the two were seen together at Disneyland shortly after the leadership change was announced.
D’Amaro’s compensation package includes a $2.5 million annual base salary, paid weekly, along with a target bonus set at 250% of that base each fiscal year. He will also receive $26.25 million in annual long-term stock incentives and a one-time payout valued at $9.705 million.
According to Disney’s updated executive leadership page, D’Amaro now leads the company’s global portfolio of brands and businesses, with an emphasis on pairing creative storytelling with advancing technology to strengthen connections with audiences. He steps into the position after serving as Chairman of Disney Experiences, the company’s largest and fastest-growing segment, which brought in $36 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2025.
During his time overseeing Disney Experiences, D’Amaro led an extensive expansion across parks, resorts, cruise ships, and new attractions, working closely with Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Studios, and creative teams behind the company’s biggest franchises. Those efforts and accomplishments now carry forward as he takes the helm of the company. It’s a great big beautiful D’Amaro!
