Disney’s Smoothest CEO Transition in Decades

Disney has had a smooth CEO transition for the first time in decades. On Wednesday, March 18, Bob Iger stepped down as CEO after two tenures and over 50 years with the company. Former Disney Experiences Chairperson Josh D’amaro stepped up and is the company’s eighth CEO.

Smooth Transition

As Deadline reports, Disney did everything they could to ensure the succession would go off without a hitch — including losing top executives. During previous handoffs, Disney lost Walt Disney Studios Chair Jeffrey Katzenberg, CFO Jay Rasulo, CFO Tom Staggs, Direct-to-Consumer & International Chair Kevin Mayer, and General Entertainment Content Chair Peter Rice.

But this time, almost nobody is leaving. The only exception would be Chief Communications Officer Kristina Schake who has been replaced by Paul Roeder.

Even D’Amaro’s fellow CEO candidates are staying put. Dana Walden was awarded the newly created position of President & Chief Creative Officer. Disney Entertainment Chair Alan Bergman and ESPN Chair Jimmy Pitaro are both sticking to their positions.

Other executives moved up the ranks to fill in D’Amaro’s now vacant position of Disney Experiences Chair. Thomas Mazloum, who has served as Disneyland Resort President, replaces D’Amaro. Jill Estorino is the new President of Disneyland Resort, followed by Tasia Filippatos taking over Estorino’s position as President of Disney Parks International and Lisa Baldzicki replaces Filippatos as President of Disney Consumer Products.

The process of picking D’Amaro was transparent, methodical, and led by outsider James Gorman, who was appointed the chairman of Disney’s Board for the search.

Gorman told Deadline in a previous interview, “This was the time we had to get this right, and I was absolutely committed. We were looking for somebody who understood the culture, who loved the brand, who had the personal qualities that you look for in a leader, that is aspirational, that is positive.

“You also look for somebody who’s strategic, who can think about where the industry is going, not just where it’s been, who can forge important partnerships.” Gorman said D’Amaro has “decades of experience at Disney. He’s run massive operations across the whole parks and cruises businesses. He’s also got a great creative touch.”

Gorman said of the other executives, “Everybody wants more. It’s human nature. We have a great team. I have tremendous respect for all executives. I think this has landed in a very stable and appropriate way, and I’m cheering them all.”

During Wednesday’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Iger alluded to Chapek’s exit, saying about cast members, “When I returned in 2022, people had lost confidence in the company they worked for. Today, everywhere I turn, I sense confidence and excitement about what lies ahead.”

Deadline spoke to Kevin Groves, professor of organization theory and management at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, who praised the “smooth” transition. He called it “relay succession” with several candidates. “Clear visibility and an understanding of these candidates’ abilities are signs of a high-quality … and a comprehensive process.”

Would you agree this has been a smooth transition? Let us know on social media.

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