At the end of this year, Robert A. Iger will step down as chairman of the board of the Walt Disney Company. His place, for the first time in 98 years, will be taken by a woman. This is Susan Arnold, who has been a member of the board of directors for 14 years and has served as an independent director since 2018.
Iger described her successor as an esteemed, experienced, and upstanding executive whose vision has been invaluable to the company. “Susan is the perfect choice, and I am confident that the company is well positioned to continue on the path of success under her guidance and leadership,” he said through a company statement that announced his relief.
For his part, Arnold thanked the “extraordinary leadership” of Iger, whose “clear strategy” allowed the technological advancement and international expansion of the company. “As I step into this new role, I look forward to continuing to serve the long-term interests of Disney shareholders and to work closely with CEO Bob Chapek as he builds Disney’s next legacy of creative excellence and innovation.”
Arnold has had experience in brand management and marketing, environmental sustainability, product and business development, international markets, finance, and risk management.
She was an executive with The Carlyle Group, and served as president of Procter & Gamble’s glboal unit from 2007 to 2009. She also held senior positions at McDonald’s and NBTY.
