Executive Leadership Team of The Walt Disney Company [2026]
The Walt Disney Company is one of the world’s most recognized and beloved brands, encompassing a vast entertainment empire that spans film studios, television networks, streaming platforms, theme parks, and consumer products. As Disney continues its evolution in a post-pandemic, digital-first entertainment economy—through strategic pivots in streaming, experiential media, and global content—the company’s executive team plays a pivotal role in shaping its creative vision, operational excellence, and long-term strategy.
At DigitalDefynd, we shine a light on the people powering the world’s most influential companies, offering curated insights, leadership analysis, and access to the best executive programs available today. Whether you’re a C-suite professional, strategist, or industry observer, this feature provides a comprehensive look at the leaders driving Disney’s transformation across storytelling, technology, and global reach. Explore the executive minds steering the Magic Kingdom through its next era.
Executive Leadership Team of The Walt Disney Company [2026]
| # | Name | Title | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert A. Iger | Chief Executive Officer | Returned as CEO in November 2022, leading a company-wide transformation to prioritize creativity and position Disney’s streaming business for sustained growth and profitability. His tenure has been marked by significant acquisitions and a focus on restoring Disney’s core values. |
| 2 | Hugh Johnston | Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer | Oversees Disney’s financial operations, including strategic planning, investor relations, and financial reporting. Joined Disney bringing extensive experience in financial leadership. |
| 3 | Kristina Schake | Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Communications Officer | Leads global communications strategy, encompassing media relations, corporate messaging, and internal communications to enhance Disney’s brand and reputation. |
| 4 | Asad Ayaz | Chief Brand Officer & President, Marketing, The Walt Disney Studios and Disney+ | Manages brand strategy and marketing across Disney’s studios and streaming platforms, ensuring cohesive messaging and audience engagement. |
| 5 | Dana Walden | Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment | Oversees Disney’s entertainment content, including television and streaming services, focusing on content creation and distribution strategies. |
| 6 | Alan Bergman | Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment | Collaborates with Dana Walden to manage Disney’s entertainment divisions, with a focus on film production and studio operations. |
| 7 | Josh D’Amaro | Chairman, Disney Experiences | Leads Disney’s parks, experiences, and products segment, focusing on enhancing guest experiences and expanding global presence. |
| 8 | James Pitaro | Chairman, ESPN | Heads ESPN, overseeing sports content and strategy across all platforms, including the development of direct-to-consumer offerings. |
| 9 | Sonia Coleman | Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer | Directs human resources initiatives, including talent acquisition, development, and organizational culture. |
| 10 | Horacio Gutierrez | Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer | Manages legal affairs and compliance, ensuring Disney’s operations adhere to regulatory standards. |
| 11 | Tinisha Agramonte | Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer | Leads diversity and inclusion efforts, promoting equitable practices across the company. |
| 12 | Brent Woodford | Executive Vice President, Controllership, Financial Planning and Tax | Oversees financial planning, accounting, and tax functions, ensuring fiscal responsibility. |
| 13 | Carlos A. Gómez | Executive Vice President, Corporate Finance & Treasurer | Manages corporate finance activities, including capital structure and treasury operations. |
| 14 | Alexia S. Quadrani | Executive Vice President, Investor Relations | Handles communication with investors, providing insights into Disney’s financial performance and strategy. |
| 15 | Ken Potrock | President, Major Events Integration | Coordinates large-scale events, such as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, ensuring cross-company collaboration. |
| 16 | Susan Doniz | Chief Information and Data Officer | Leads information technology and data strategy, focusing on digital transformation and cybersecurity. |
| 17 | Jared Bush | Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Animation Studios | Oversees creative direction for Disney Animation, guiding storytelling and artistic development. |
| 18 | Rita Ferro | President, Global Advertising | Manages advertising sales and strategy across Disney’s media platforms, optimizing revenue generation. |
| 19 | Joe Earley | President, Direct-to-Consumer | Oversees Disney’s streaming services, including Disney+ and Hulu, focusing on subscriber growth and content strategy. |
| 20 | Alisa Bowen | President, Disney+ | Leads the Disney+ streaming platform, managing content offerings and user experience. |
| 21 | Lauren Tempest | General Manager, Hulu | Manages Hulu’s operations and strategic direction, including content acquisition and subscriber engagement. |
| 22 | Adam Smith | Chief Product & Technology Officer | Directs product development and technological innovation across Disney’s entertainment and ESPN divisions. |
| 23 | James P. Gorman | Chairman of the Board | Provides governance and strategic oversight as Chairman, bringing experience from his tenure at Morgan Stanley. |
1. Robert A. Iger – Chief Executive Officer
Bob Iger is the long-time face of The Walt Disney Company, having served as CEO from 2005 to 2020, Executive Chairman through 2021, and returning to the CEO role in November 2022 amid a critical period of corporate restructuring. Under his leadership, Disney executed some of the most significant acquisitions in media history, including Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox. In his current tenure, Iger is focused on revitalizing the creative engine of the company, restructuring streaming operations to achieve profitability, and restoring confidence among shareholders and creatives alike. He has prioritized clarity in the company’s content pipeline and is preparing Disney for long-term growth across its theatrical, streaming, and experiential businesses. Iger is widely regarded as one of the most respected media executives globally and is credited with transforming Disney into a 21st-century entertainment powerhouse.
2. Hugh Johnston – Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Hugh Johnston joined Disney as CFO in late 2023, bringing with him extensive experience from PepsiCo, where he served as Vice Chairman and CFO. At Disney, Johnston is responsible for all financial operations including corporate planning, controllership, investor relations, treasury, and risk management. He plays a key role in balancing strategic investments in Disney’s streaming platforms with cost discipline across the enterprise. Johnston’s expertise in scaling global operations and driving efficiency is critical as Disney navigates a complex media environment, invests in new technologies, and evaluates content portfolio optimization. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and is known for being both financially rigorous and operationally savvy.
3. Kristina Schake – Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Communications Officer
Kristina Schake leads global communications at The Walt Disney Company, overseeing internal communications, public relations, corporate messaging, and crisis management. Her role is central to maintaining and enhancing Disney’s brand integrity in an era of increasing public scrutiny and rapid digital communication. Schake has a distinguished background in politics and public affairs, having previously served in the White House and as a senior advisor to high-profile public figures. At Disney, she is a key voice during strategic shifts, mergers, and public-facing transitions, ensuring alignment between leadership, media narratives, and stakeholder messaging. She is known for her reputation management expertise and ability to craft compelling, values-driven communication strategies.
4. Asad Ayaz – Chief Brand Officer & President, Marketing, The Walt Disney Studios and Disney+
Asad Ayaz is one of the creative forces behind Disney’s global marketing success and was appointed Chief Brand Officer in 2023, in addition to his role leading marketing for Disney Studios and Disney+. He is responsible for brand strategy across all of Disney’s divisions, ensuring consistency and emotional resonance in how the brand shows up across films, series, parks, and platforms. Ayaz played a significant role in launching and growing Disney+, as well as in developing iconic marketing campaigns for Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. His dual role bridges storytelling and audience engagement, and he works closely with creative and distribution teams to unify branding across Disney’s vast ecosystem.
5. Dana Walden – Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment
Dana Walden is Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, where she oversees television content creation and distribution across the company’s linear networks and streaming platforms. Her portfolio includes ABC, Hulu, FX, National Geographic, and Disney Branded Television. Walden is known for her sharp creative instincts and her ability to develop commercially successful and critically acclaimed programming. She joined Disney through the Fox acquisition, where she had built a storied career leading 20th Century Fox Television. In her current role, she is central to reshaping Disney’s content strategy, rebalancing streaming investment, and nurturing relationships with top creators. Walden is widely respected across the entertainment industry for her leadership, talent management, and creative risk-taking.
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6. Alan Bergman – Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment
Alan Bergman serves alongside Dana Walden as Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, focusing primarily on the company’s film content and studio operations. He oversees Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures. Bergman has been with Disney for over 25 years and previously served as Chairman of Disney Studios Content. Known for his strong operational acumen and collaborative leadership style, Bergman is instrumental in managing the theatrical pipeline, production strategies, and franchise development across the company’s globally recognized studios. His partnership with Walden ensures continuity between film and television content, especially as Disney adapts to evolving consumer viewing habits across platforms.
7. Josh D’Amaro – Chairman, Disney Experiences
Josh D’Amaro oversees Disney’s global theme parks, cruise line, vacation resorts, and consumer products under the Disney Experiences division. A Disney veteran with a career spanning various leadership roles at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, and Disney Consumer Products, D’Amaro is known for his hands-on leadership and operational expertise. He has led the parks segment through pandemic recovery, technological transformation (including Genie+ and MagicBand+), and international expansion. His focus now includes immersive storytelling experiences, next-generation attractions, and integrating Disney’s intellectual properties more deeply into physical experiences. D’Amaro is also credited with enhancing cast member morale and guest satisfaction during periods of change.
8. James Pitaro – Chairman, ESPN
Jimmy Pitaro is Chairman of ESPN and Sports Content, responsible for all of Disney’s sports media businesses including ESPN networks, ESPN+, and ABC Sports programming. Under his leadership, ESPN has expanded its direct-to-consumer offerings, including streaming sports content, pay-per-view integrations, and long-term rights deals with major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and UFC. Pitaro has also spearheaded partnerships with sports betting platforms and helped modernize ESPN’s brand appeal with younger audiences. He previously led Disney’s Consumer Products and Interactive division and is respected for navigating both sports and digital landscapes. Pitaro’s strategic approach is shaping the future of sports media in an increasingly on-demand world.
9. Sonia Coleman – Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
Sonia Coleman leads Disney’s global human resources strategy, overseeing talent acquisition, employee development, organizational design, and workplace culture. With a career at Disney that spans over a decade, including time at Disney Parks, Coleman plays a vital role in supporting leadership transitions, workforce planning, and DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiatives across all segments. She has been particularly instrumental in evolving Disney’s hybrid work models, strengthening internal communications, and building HR systems that support large-scale, creative-driven teams. Her efforts help ensure Disney attracts and retains top-tier talent across a wide range of disciplines from creative arts to engineering.
10. Horacio Gutierrez – Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer
Horacio Gutierrez is Disney’s top legal executive, overseeing the company’s legal affairs, compliance frameworks, government relations, and intellectual property enforcement. Prior to joining Disney, he served as General Counsel at Spotify and held senior legal roles at Microsoft. Gutierrez brings extensive experience navigating technology, content licensing, international law, and corporate governance. At Disney, he plays a critical role in supporting M&A activity, content regulation (particularly in global markets), and litigation strategy. He also leads efforts around regulatory risk management in areas such as streaming, advertising, and antitrust. Gutierrez is known for blending legal precision with business pragmatism to support Disney’s evolving media landscape.
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11. Tinisha Agramonte – Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer
Tinisha Agramonte leads Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across all business units worldwide. With a background in federal government and corporate inclusion strategy, Agramonte joined Disney to further embed equitable practices into its hiring, leadership development, content review, and supplier diversity programs. She collaborates closely with HR, legal, and creative leadership to ensure diverse voices are represented both on-screen and behind the scenes. Agramonte’s work also includes measuring inclusion impact, expanding Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and advancing accessibility within Disney’s global workforce.
12. Brent Woodford – Executive Vice President, Controllership, Financial Planning and Tax
Brent Woodford oversees Disney’s financial planning, tax strategy, internal control functions, and reporting processes. He plays a crucial role in budgeting across the company’s divisions and in maintaining the integrity of Disney’s financial systems. Woodford also supports strategic initiatives by providing forecasting and financial scenario modeling to guide decision-making at the executive level. With over two decades at Disney, his institutional knowledge and precision in financial governance have made him a trusted leader in managing the company’s fiscal discipline, particularly during periods of economic fluctuation or acquisition-related transitions.
13. Carlos A. Gómez – Executive Vice President, Corporate Finance & Treasurer
Carlos Gómez manages Disney’s global treasury, capital markets, and corporate finance functions. His responsibilities include liquidity planning, risk management, interest rate strategy, and debt structuring. Gómez works closely with Disney’s CFO and business segment leaders to optimize capital allocation and financial health across both operating and investment activities. In recent years, he has played an important role in navigating macroeconomic volatility and funding strategies for Disney’s major investments in streaming, park expansion, and content production.
14. Alexia S. Quadrani – Executive Vice President, Investor Relations
Alexia Quadrani serves as Disney’s chief liaison to the investment community, responsible for articulating the company’s financial strategy, performance outlook, and capital allocation plans to shareholders and analysts. A former managing director at J.P. Morgan with a focus on media and entertainment equity research, Quadrani brings deep market insight and communication acumen. At Disney, she supports quarterly earnings, investor days, and M&A communications. Her role is central to maintaining transparency and confidence in Disney’s evolving financial strategy, particularly as it transitions to more data-driven, digital-first revenue models.
15. Ken Potrock – President, Major Events Integration
Ken Potrock leads Disney’s major event integration efforts, including strategic coordination for globally significant initiatives like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Formerly President of Disneyland Resort, Potrock’s expertise lies in operations, marketing, and event execution. In his current role, he ensures seamless collaboration across Disney’s business units—parks, studios, media, and licensing—to amplify the company’s presence in marquee events. His leadership also supports brand synergy, sponsor integration, and the logistical planning needed to deliver world-class experiential campaigns. Potrock’s position underscores Disney’s intent to play a prominent cultural and commercial role on the world stage.
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16. Susan Doniz – Chief Information and Data Officer
Susan Doniz serves as Disney’s Chief Information and Data Officer, where she leads enterprise-wide IT, cybersecurity, and data management initiatives. With previous leadership experience at Boeing and Qantas, Doniz is responsible for modernizing Disney’s digital infrastructure, enhancing data analytics capabilities, and ensuring the secure flow of information across all business segments. She also plays a strategic role in supporting Disney’s shift toward personalized guest experiences, streaming optimization, and internal automation. Doniz is a vocal advocate for ethical data use and leveraging technology to enhance both creativity and operational efficiency.
17. Jared Bush – Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Animation Studios
Jared Bush is the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, responsible for guiding the storytelling direction, character development, and creative culture of one of Disney’s most iconic divisions. A screenwriter and director, Bush is best known for co-directing and writing Zootopia and Encanto. As CCO, he collaborates with animators, writers, and directors to shape Disney’s animated film pipeline and creative strategy. His appointment reflects Disney’s emphasis on authentic, diverse storytelling and reinvigorating the theatrical animation experience for global audiences.
18. Rita Ferro – President, Global Advertising
Rita Ferro oversees all advertising sales and integrated marketing partnerships across Disney’s media platforms, including ABC, ESPN, Disney+, Hulu, and FX. Under her leadership, Disney has advanced into the ad-supported streaming model, launching the Disney+ ad tier and expanding programmatic offerings. Ferro is also responsible for Disney’s participation in major industry events like the annual Upfronts and has played a pivotal role in unifying ad tech and measurement across platforms. Her focus on innovation, data-driven targeting, and cross-platform integration has made Disney a leader in the evolving digital ad space.
19. Joe Earley – President, Direct-to-Consumer
Joe Earley leads Disney’s global direct-to-consumer operations, managing subscriber strategy, product development, content distribution, and platform expansion for services like Disney+ and Hulu. Previously President of Hulu and a former executive at Fox and The WB, Earley brings a blend of creative insight and operational expertise to streaming. He is focused on improving user engagement, churn reduction, and original programming alignment with platform identities. Earley also plays a central role in guiding Disney’s transition from traditional distribution to a global, vertically integrated streaming-first business.
20. Alisa Bowen – President, Disney+
Alisa Bowen heads the Disney+ streaming platform, overseeing product development, user experience, content strategy, and global rollout efforts. She is instrumental in managing the balance between premium content delivery and subscriber growth initiatives. Bowen previously served as EVP of Business Operations for Disney Streaming and brings deep experience in digital product management. Her leadership ensures Disney+ remains competitive in a saturated streaming market, with a focus on platform innovation, international expansion, and strategic bundling with other Disney services. She works closely with both content and technology teams to drive growth while maintaining brand consistency and user trust.
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21. Lauren Tempest – General Manager, Hulu
Lauren Tempest serves as General Manager of Hulu, leading the platform’s day-to-day operations, content curation, user engagement strategy, and business development. With Disney assuming full operational control of Hulu, Tempest plays a crucial role in aligning the service’s identity with Disney’s broader streaming ecosystem. She is responsible for ensuring Hulu’s continued success as a home for award-winning originals, live TV, and network content, while navigating its potential consolidation with Disney+ under a unified app experience. Tempest previously held strategic roles at Disney and Hulu across distribution and content planning, and she is known for her sharp focus on consumer behavior and market trends.
22. Adam Smith – Chief Product & Technology Officer
Adam Smith leads product innovation and technological development across Disney’s media and streaming platforms, including Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu. As Chief Product & Technology Officer, he oversees engineering, product design, and platform scalability, playing a central role in Disney’s shift toward personalization, cross-platform integration, and ad-supported experiences. Smith collaborates closely with marketing, content, and data science teams to deliver seamless and engaging user experiences across Disney’s digital ecosystem. His background spans both consumer and enterprise tech, and he is focused on transforming Disney’s digital stack into a world-class, AI-enhanced platform.
23. James P. Gorman – Chairman of the Board
James Gorman is Chairman of the Board at The Walt Disney Company. Formerly the longtime CEO and Chairman of Morgan Stanley, Gorman brings deep expertise in corporate governance, financial markets, and strategic oversight. As board chair, he is responsible for guiding Disney’s governance framework, supporting executive leadership, and representing shareholder interests. Gorman plays a critical role in CEO succession planning, board committee leadership, and ensuring that Disney’s strategic priorities are aligned with long-term stakeholder value. His appointment in 2024 followed Bob Iger’s renewed tenure and is seen as part of a broader effort to enhance board independence and leadership continuity.
Conclusion
The Walt Disney Company’s executive leadership team reflects the scale and complexity of one of the world’s most iconic and diversified media empires. From Bob Iger’s visionary return as CEO to dynamic leadership across streaming, animation, parks, finance, and global brand stewardship, Disney’s C-suite is steering the company through a digital transformation while staying rooted in its storytelling legacy. These leaders are not only evolving how Disney creates and distributes content—but also redefining what it means to connect emotionally with audiences in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
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