On March 18, 2026, Josh D'Amaro formally took over as CEO of The Walt Disney Company from Bob Iger. After almost five months on the job, his early leadership has concentrated on managing recent earnings, articulating potential integration across digital platforms and physical parks, and stabilizing growth across Disney's streaming and experiences industries. His main focus has been streaming and integration, highlighting Disney+'s ongoing expansion and developing cutting-edge strategies to link digital streaming viewers with consumer goods and experiences.

At the recent D23 appearance, he detailed the future he envisioned for Disney and his journey as the CEO so far. 

After taking over as CEO of The Walt Disney Company five months ago from Bob Iger, Josh D'Amaro attended his first D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. In an interview with Ginnifer Goodwin on the third day of the Disney event, D'Amaro talked candidly about the company's future and his experience as its new CEO.

Looking ahead at the future of the company, D’Amaro outlined key foundational pillars that remain central to his leadership vision. Emphasizing that storytelling sits at the absolute core of the enterprise, he vowed never to relent in producing the world’s best stories - whether through blockbuster films like Zootopia, groundbreaking theme park attractions, or immersive Broadway productions. 

“As simple as it sounds, that has to be the focus of all leaders, quite frankly, at the Disney Company,” D’Amaro said.

Furthermore, D’Amaro highlighted that the current media landscape sits at a uniquely powerful intersection of technology and entertainment, noting that Disney has historically thrived during such periods of transformation, tracing back to Walt Disney's pioneering innovations in filmmaking and animatronics.

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He also spoke a bit about his own journey as the CEO of Disney so far and how it all started.

Reflecting on his remarkable climb through the ranks of the entertainment giant, Disney executive Josh D’Amaro admitted that hearing himself referred to as CEO "still feels strange" after spending three decades with the company. Having started his career in an entry-level position at Disneyland in 1998, D’Amaro noted that his lifelong fandom heavily shaped his professional path. 

Growing up visiting the parks with his family, those formative moments left an enduring impression on him, making the transition from a dedicated fan to working inside the walls of Disney a deeply fulfilling experience. Concluding his remarks, D’Amaro praised the dedicated cast members and behind-the-scenes leaders whose genuine care for the company and its fans drives the magic of events like D23. Disney made a number of new revelations at the Expo, which gave a glimpse of the future D’Amaro was talking about.

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What do you think of Josh D’Amaro’s plan for Disney? Do let us know in the comments.