Today, it was announced that Kristina Schake leaving Disney will occur in March 2026. This exit coincides with Bob Iger stepping down as the company’s CEO.
Maybe Josh D’Amaro will have more control than the last Disney CEO to follow Bob Iger. The leadership landscape at The Walt Disney Company is set for a massive overhaul this spring. In a move that signals a clean slate for the incoming administration, Disney has officially announced that Kristina Schake, the company’s Chief Communications Officer and lead spokesperson, will depart her role after March 18, 2026.
Schake’s exit is strategically timed to align with the final days of Bob Iger’s second tenure as CEO. As Disney prepares for the “Josh D’Amaro era,” Schake’s departure represents one of the most significant shifts in the corporate ranks since the announcement of Iger’s successor.
Kristina Schake Leaving Disney: A Pivot Toward New Leadership
In a statement regarding her departure, Schake expressed her gratitude for her time at the Mouse House, noting, “Working alongside Bob, his management team, and so many exceptional communications professionals has been a privilege I will carry with me forever, and I leave with tremendous respect for this institution and great confidence in Disney’s future under Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden.”
“I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve The Walt Disney Company during such a pivotal chapter in its history,” Schake herself stated today on the news of her Disney departure. “The company I joined in 2022 was in a vastly different place from where it is today, both reputationally and from a business perspective, and I am proud of the work our worldwide communications team has done to support Bob as he has put Disney on a steady course for growth for the next generation of leaders.”
Schake joined Disney in 2022 during a period of high-profile public relations challenges. With a background that included high-level roles in the Obama and Biden administrations and a stint as Global Communications Director for Instagram, she was brought in to steady the ship and streamline Disney’s global messaging across its many segments, from streaming and film to the theme parks.
“Kristina is an accomplished and respected communications leader, and Disney has been fortunate to have her expertise and insight during a dynamic period that has demanded strategic clarity and judgment,” Bob Iger said today.
Kristina Schake Leaving Disney: Why This Matters for the Theme Parks
While Schake’s role was corporate-facing, her influence was felt deeply within the Disney Experiences segment. She was instrumental in managing the company’s reputation during a “sustained complexity” for the industry, including the navigation of political tensions in Florida and the massive post-pandemic growth of the parks.
With Josh D’Amaro, the current Chairman of Disney Experiences, set to take the helm as CEO, Kristina Schake leaving Disney indicates that D’Amaro will likely be looking to build his own communications team from the ground up to support his vision for the company’s future.
What’s Next?
As of now, Disney has not named a successor for the Chief Communications Officer role. With Schake staying through mid-March, there is a small window for the company to announce who will be the next voice of the Walt Disney Company. Stay tuned to our site for more updates as the Disney executive shuffle continues.
For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.
Expertise. Ease. Value.
Ready for your bucket list trip? Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations.
Contact for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
