In the final stretch of the Disney CEO race, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Dana Walden is opening up about the process. She is primarily up against Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro for Bob Iger’s job.

Walden feels “pit against colleagues”

On Bloomberg’s The Circuit with Emily Chang, Walden explained the process of being a candidate for Iger’s CEO job thus far. “Well, being pit against my colleagues, I don’t appreciate [it] because we have incredible relationships,” she told the outlet. “We are a very tight organization. But I have enormous faith in where this company’s going. There is a world class team at this company [that] is navigating the path into the future.”

CEO Search

D’Amaro and Walden are among a shortlist of four executives considered likely CEO candidates. Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN and Sports Content, reportedly stated he was not interested in the role, while Alan Bergman, the other Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, does not have the charisma Disney is looking for. Over the past few years, D’Amaro and Walden have both been considered lead contenders, but D’Amaro has been squarely in first place for several months.

Whoever is chosen as CEO is expected to work alongside current CEO Bob Iger for a period of time before fully taking over. The board’s top priority is to cause as little drama as possible with no major exits after the decision is made. They have held contract extension talks with other executives who report to Iger, and some will likely be offered expanded roles and new titles to ensure they stay.

The Walt Disney Company has stated it hopes to make a CEO announcement in early 2026.

Who do you think should be Disney’s next CEO? Let us know in the comments and on social media.

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