ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

Our Mission

The mission of The Walt Disney Company is to entertain, inform and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling, reflecting the iconic brands, creative minds and innovative technologies that make ours the world’s premier entertainment company.

Executive Leadership

Our senior executives bring tremendous experience, visionary thinking and a shared commitment to excellence, creativity and innovation to the day to day operation of the company.

Leadership

Robert A. Iger

Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Alan Bergman

Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

David L. Bowdich

Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Rebecca Campbell

Chairman, International Content and Operations, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Jennifer Cohen

Executive Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Josh D’Amaro

Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

Leadership

Carlos A. Gómez

Senior Vice President and Treasurer, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Horacio Gutierrez

Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Diane Jurgens

Executive Vice President, Enterprise Technology and Chief Information Officer, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Christine M. McCarthy

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Jolene Negre

Associate General Counsel and Secretary, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Latondra Newton

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

Leadership

James Pitaro

Chairman, ESPN, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Alexia S. Quadrani

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Paul Richardson

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Kristina Schake

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Alicia Schwarz

Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Dana Walden

Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company

Leadership

Brent Woodford

Executive Vice President, Controllership, Financial Planning and Tax, The Walt Disney Company

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Board of Directors

The Walt Disney Company's Board of Directors hail from renowned global organizations and industries, bringing a diverse range of knowledge, perspective and experience to guide and drive long-term value to the company.

Leadership

Susan E. Arnold

Chairman of the Board

Leadership

Mary T. Barra

Director since 2017

Leadership

Safra A. Catz

Director since 2018

Leadership

Amy L. Chang

Director since 2021

Leadership

Francis A. deSouza

Director since 2018

Leadership

Carolyn N. Everson

DIRECTOR SINCE 2022

Leadership

Michael B.G. Froman

DIRECTOR SINCE 2018

Leadership

Robert A. Iger

Director since 2022

Leadership

Maria Elena Lagomasino

DIRECTOR SINCE 2015

Leadership

Calvin R. McDonald

Director since 2021

Leadership

Mark G. Parker

DIRECTOR SINCE 2016

Leadership

Derica W. Rice

DIRECTOR SINCE 2019

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Disney Entertainment

Disney Entertainment includes the company’s full portfolio of entertainment media and content businesses globally, including streaming.

For the Studios press site, click here.

For the General Entertainment press site, click here.


ESPN

ESPN includes ESPN networks, ESPN+, and the company’s international sports channels.

For the ESPN press site, click here.


Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products is the global hub that brings Disney’s stories, characters, and franchises to life through theme parks and resorts, cruise and vacation experiences, and consumer products—everything from toys to apparel, and books to video games.

For the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products press site, click here.


History of Disney

From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family.

1923

Walt Disney signs a contract with M. J. Winkler to produce a series of Alice Comedies. The year marks the start of The Walt Disney Company, first known as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio.

1928

Steamboat Willie—the first animated film to star Mickey Mouse and to feature synchronized sound—debuts at the Colony Theatre in New York.

1932

Flowers and Trees, Disney’s first full-color cartoon and first Academy Award® winner for Cartoon Short Subject, debuts.

1937

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney’s first feature-length animated film, premieres at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

1940

Walt Disney Productions issues its first stock.

1940

The Disney Studio moves to Burbank, California.

1950

Treasure Island, Disney’s first completely live-action feature, opens in theaters.

1950

One Hour in Wonderland, Disney’s first television show, airs.

1955

Disneyland opens.

1964

Mary Poppins, Walt Disney’s most successful live-action feature film, opens in theaters.

1971

Walt Disney World opens.

1983

Tokyo Disneyland, Disney’s first international park, opens.

1983

The Disney Channel begins broadcasting.

1984

Michael Eisner (right) and Frank Wells (left) are named chairman and president of Walt Disney Productions, respectively.

1984

Splash, the first Touchstone film, opens in theaters.

1986

Walt Disney Productions name changes to
The Walt Disney Company.

1996

Stockholders approve Disney merger with
Capital Cities/ABC.

2005

Disneyland Resort launches the Happiest Homecoming on Earth to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Disney theme park.

2005

Robert A. Iger becomes Chief Executive Officer of
The Walt Disney Company.

2006

Disney purchases Pixar Animation Studios.

2009

Disney completes its acquisition of Marvel Entertainment.

2012

Disney completes its acquisition of Lucasfilm.

2015

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is released. It is the first Lucasfilm title released from The Walt Disney Company.

2016

Grand Opening of Shanghai Disney Resort, in Shanghai China.

2018

Disney launches ESPN+

2019

Disney completes its acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

2019

Disney+ launches a new era of Disney entertainment.

2020

Bob Chapek becomes CEO of The Walt Disney Company and Bob Iger becomes Executive Chairman.

2021

"The World’s Most Magical Celebration" kicks off to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort.

2022

The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors appoints Bob Iger Chief Executive Officer.