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Massachusetts native Josh D’Amaro chosen as Disney’s new CEO
The Medfield High alum and former Big Blue basketball player will now lead the global entertainment giant.
From his days on Medfield High’s Big Blue basketball team, Massachusetts native Josh D’Amaro has come a long way — the company’s board of directors has now chosen him as the next CEO of Disney, one of the world’s most iconic entertainment companies.
On Tuesday, the Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced that, effective March 18, D’Amaro will succeed longtime Disney CEO Robert Iger.
“I am immensely grateful to the Board for entrusting me with leading a company that means so much to me and millions around the world,” D’Amaro said in a statement.
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The native graduated from Medfield High School in 1989 and then attended Georgetown, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Before D’Amaro joined Disney in 1998, he worked as a financial planner for The Gillette Company in Boston.
D’Amaro, 54, has served as chairman of the Disney Experiences segment since 2020, and was president of Walt Disney World Resort beforehand.
As chairman of Disney Experiences, D’Amaro oversees 12 theme parks and 57 resort hotels worldwide, with plans for a new park in Abu Dhabi.
His current responsibilities include Disney Signature Experiences, including Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney, Disney Institute, and Storyliving by Disney. He also oversees Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Consumer Products.
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D’Amaro also manages digital ventures, including the collaboration with Epic Games to create a Disney universe within Fortnite.
Over his nearly three-decade career at Disney, he has held leadership roles across the company both in the U.S. and internationally, including in finance, business strategy, marketing, creative development, and operations.
His past positions include president of Disneyland Resort and president of Walt Disney World Resort.
D’Amaro’s appointment follows a multi-year succession process launched in 2023, when Disney’s board created a special committee to evaluate potential leaders.
The committee reviewed internal and external candidates and worked closely with Iger on preparing successors.
“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” said Iger, in a statement. “He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences.”
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