People familiar with the Disney situation believe Dana Walden is the front-runner to succeed Bob Iger as CEO. If this happens, she will be the first female CEO in Disney’s 100-year history. So who is Dana Walden? Read on to find out.
Who is Dana Walden?
Dana Walden, an American businesswoman and co-chair of Disney Entertainment, was born in 1964. She is currently a member of the President’s Export Council. Before joining Disney Entertainment, Walden served as chairman and CEO of Fox Television Group, which included Fox Broadcasting Company, 20th Century Fox Television, Fox 21 Television Studios, Fox Consumer Products, and the syndication provider 20th Television. Walden handled entertainment as chairman of Walt Disney Television.
Walden, the co-chair of Disney Entertainment, is competing internally with Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, and Alan Bergman, Entertainment co-chair, to be named the company’s next CEO, according to people familiar with the matter.
Bob Iger intends to choose a successor and then stay at Disney to train that person before leaving at the end of 2026
According to CNBC, Iger intends to choose a successor and then stay at Disney to train that person before leaving at the end of 2026. He’s fighting to keep control of Disney’s future from being threatened by Nelson Peltz of Trian Partners.
Peltz has suggested that he should help lead a replacement search, given that Iger has postponed his retirement five times and returned to the job after Bob Chapek, who was named CEO in 2020, was ousted in 2022. Peltz claims the Disney board cannot be trusted to handle succession. Disney shareholders will vote on Peltz’s board candidacy during the company’s annual meeting on Wednesday.
Several Disney executives told CNBC privately that they feel Walden, 59, is the front-runner for the top post, though they have no inside knowledge of the process and their proximity to Walden may bias their opinion.
Her closeness with Iger (she lives only blocks from his Brentwood, California, home), her track record of success as a television executive, her trust among Disney board members, and the symbolism of having a female boss all work in her favor.
Walden declined to comment on this report. More than 20 colleagues and friends spoke to CNBC about her skills and weaknesses.