December 6, 2022
The Walt Disney Company’s leadership team has made its fair share of headlines in 2022. Following Bob Iger’s retirement and subsequent appointment of Bob Chapek as Chief Executive Officer, Disney sent shockwaves through Wall Street recently when its Board of Directors announced that Iger would be making his triumphant return to run the company once again.
While sentiment has varied over Iger’s return as Chief Executive, investors have responded in an overwhelmingly positive manner since the announcement, as evidenced by Disney’s rising stock price.
While Iger himself is not Italian American, there is no shortage of Italian lineage and representation on the Disney Board.
Here are some of the key figures with Italian roots who sat in the Disney boardroom as the decision was made to bring Iger back as Disney’s Chief Executive:
- Mary Barra: Since 2016, Marry Barra has been the Chair of the General Motors Company as well as a member of the Disney Board of Directors since 2017.
- Maria Elena Lagomasino: Since 2015, Maria Elena Lagomasino has proudly served on the Board of Directors for Disney. Lagomasino rose to become one of the most influential females in the wealth management industry, serving as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of WE Family Offices, a firm serving high net-worth families.
In addition to the Board of Directors, Disney’s leadership team includes several executives with Italian roots. Current Disney Parks Head Josh D’Amaro has Italian heritage, along with Disney’s Senior Vice President of Investor Relations Alexia Quadrani and James Pitaro, who currently runs sports content on ESPN for the Walt Disney Company.