The Walt Disney Co. named Josh D’Amaro as the new CEO of the company replacing Bob Iger. Currently, the chairman of Disney Experience, D’Amaro was unanimously approved by 20 board members, including Iger at a meeting Monday afternoon.
So here’s all we know about him.
A Leader Who Chose Patience Over Spotlight
Josh D’Amaro is not the kind of leader who rushes toward attention. He is the kind who studies the room, understands the system, and quietly earns his place until leadership becomes inevitable. Today, Josh D’Amaro stands at the center of Disney’s most powerful and profitable division, shaping how millions of people experience the brand across the world.
Early Life and Business Foundations
Born on February 10, 1971, D’Amaro did not grow up with a singular dream of castles, characters, or theme parks. His early path was practical and grounded in business fundamentals. He earned a Business Administration degree from Georgetown University in 1993, a place known for producing disciplined thinkers rather than showmen. His first major role was in finance at Gillette in Boston, where his days revolved around numbers, planning, and operational efficiency. It was not glamorous work, but it taught him something essential. Great organizations are built on systems, not spectacle.
Those early years shaped how he would lead for decades to come. Learn how things work before trying to change them. Earn credibility before seeking authority. Let results speak louder than personality.
Entering Disney From the Inside
In 1998, D’Amaro joined The Walt Disney Company in finance and sales roles that rarely attract public attention. While others chased creative spotlights, he focused on understanding Disney’s internal engine. He worked across sales strategy, travel marketing, and business planning, gaining a rare cross functional view of how the company operated.
Over time, colleagues noticed his ability to connect financial discipline with human decision making. He was analytical, but never detached. Strategic, but always grounded. Inside Disney, this combination mattered.
First Major Leadership Test
By 2008, that trust turned into a defining opportunity when he was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Disney Consumer Products Licensing. The role placed him at the intersection of creativity and commerce, where characters, stories, and brands had to perform financially across global markets.
Managing licensing at scale required negotiation skills, cultural awareness, and long term thinking. D’Amaro delivered consistently, strengthening his reputation as someone who could handle complexity without losing focus.
From Finance to Guest Experience
A turning point came in 2010 when D’Amaro moved out of traditional finance and into experiences. He took leadership of Adventures by Disney, overseeing premium guided travel programs across the world. This role reshaped his leadership lens. Numbers still mattered, but emotion, memory, and storytelling became central.
Guest experience was no longer a concept. It was the product.
Building Worlds That Felt Real
That philosophy carried forward when he joined Disney’s Parks division. At Animal Kingdom, D’Amaro played a key role in bringing Pandora The World of Avatar to life. The project demanded massive investment, flawless execution, and deep respect for storytelling.
Its success quietly changed how Disney approached immersive environments and set new expectations for theme parks globally.
Later, as a senior leader at Walt Disney World Resort, he managed operations that functioned like a city. Transportation systems, hotels, guest flow, safety, and logistics had to work seamlessly every single day. Calm leadership mattered more than charisma.
The Rise Everyone Anticipated
From 2017 onward, D’Amaro’s rise became more visible. He served as President of Disneyland Park and later President of Walt Disney World Resort. Under his leadership, Star Wars Galaxys Edge and Avengers Campus opened, redefining what modern theme parks could be.
Inside Disney, employees began calling him Chief. Not because he demanded it, but because it felt natural.
Leading Disney Experiences Globally
In 2020, D’Amaro was appointed Chairman of Disney Experiences, one of the most powerful roles in the company. He now oversees theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, merchandise, and retail worldwide.
Nearly 185,000 employees across twelve theme parks fall under this division, making it the backbone of Disney’s revenue and global presence.
One of his most notable recent initiatives has been leading negotiations for Disneyland Abu Dhabi, marking Disney’s first theme park in the Middle East.
