Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products has announced a reorganization of the division, as well as the retirement of former Walt Disney World President, George Kalogridis.
What’s Happening:
- Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, Josh D’Amaro has sent a letter to Cast Members of the Walt Disney Company announcing a reorganization of the division.
- The letter reveals that Thomas Mazloum has had his role as President, New Experiences Portfolio and Disney Signature Experiences expanding to include the exploration of additional new initiatives, keeping the business development pipeline full.
- Also revealed, George Kalogridis has made the decision to retire after 50 years of service, having started on the Walt Disney World opening team back when he was a teenager.
- With that retirement, both the Disney Institute and National Geographic Live to Disney Signature Experiences.
- Stephanie Young will now take over the role of President, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures & Expeditions, and Disney Institute/National Geographic Live.
- Tasia Filippatos will take on the role of President, Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, and will report to Josh D’Amaro.
- Each of these roles are effective immediately and will be based out of Florida.
- You can read the complete letter from Josh D’Amaro below:
- We have always been a company built on imagination, creativity and innovation, and on our most recent earnings call, our domestic parks were a standout, powered by strong demand coupled with customized and personalized Guest experience enhancements. As we continue to transform our Disney Parks, Experiences and Products business, our talent is the cornerstone of our success, and often we identify opportunities to rotate our senior leaders. As we launch new businesses around the globe, this must be one of our top priorities.
- With our focus on growing our business, I have asked Thomas Mazloum to expand his role as President, New Experiences Portfolio and Disney Signature Experiences, to include the exploration of additional new initiatives beyond the berm, keeping our business development pipeline full. This will allow Thomas to continue to grow our DSE portfolio, while leading important growth initiatives as we launch new businesses.
- I would also like to announce that after 50 years of distinguished service, George Kalogridis has made the decision to retire. George started on the Walt Disney World opening team when he was 17, and his career has included leadership roles at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, and most recently Disney Institute and National Geographic Live. Having had a positive influence on thousands of Cast Members during his impressive tenure, he now serves as Global Ambassador for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration. I want to personally thank George for his significant contributions and commitment to DPEP and our teams around the world. Over the next several months, he will continue to play an important role representing the company on several nonprofit boards and councils to complete his work strengthening our segment DEI efforts.
- With George’s retirement, I have made the decision to shift Disney Institute and National Geographic Live to Disney Signature Experiences. As Thomas shifts his broader focus to the New Experiences Portfolio, and with George’s retirement, I am pleased to announce the following changes:
- Stephanie Young will transition into the role of President, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures & Expeditions, and Disney Institute/National Geographic Live, reporting to Thomas. Given Thomas’ increased scope and the high expectations of these businesses, Stephanie’s focus in these areas will be crucial for our segment. Her extensive background as a proven leader with deep operational expertise makes her ideally suited for this role.
- With Stephanie’s move, I am excited to announce that Tasia Filippatos will take on the role of President, Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, reporting to me. Tasia joined Disney Parks in 2008, moved to CPGP in 2012, and since 2018 has led the CPGP business across Europe, Africa and Russia. She has done an exceptional job in her role in EMEA, and her rich experience and proven leadership within CPGP make her exceptionally well suited for this role.
- Reporting to Thomas will be:
- Stephanie Young, President, Disney Vacation Club & Aulani, Adventures & Expeditions, and Disney Institute/National Geographic Live
- Claire Bilby, SVP and General Manager, DSE Emerging Businesses
- Terri Schultz, SVP, Commercial Strategies, DSE
- Sharon Siskie, SVP and General Manager, Disney Cruise Line
- Barry Compagnoni, VP, Safety and Security & Environmental Policy and Compliance, Disney Cruise Line
- Kelly Kinner, Executive Director, Strategy and Development & Ops Integration, DCL
- Reporting to Stephanie will be:
- Bill Diercksen, SVP and General Manager, Disney Vacation Club and Aulani
- Nancy Schumacher, SVP and General Manager, Adventures & Expeditions
- Timo Gorner, VP, Disney Institute & National Geographic Live
- Reporting to Tasia going forward will be:
- Sarah Weisinger, SVP & Group Publisher, Disney Publishing Worldwide
- Hubert Liu, SVP, Business Planning & Franchise Development
- Sean Shoptaw, SVP, Walt Disney Games
- Mahesh Samat, EVP, APAC Consumer Products, Games and Publishing
- Miguel Vives, SVP, CPGP LATAM, General Manager Mexico
- Open, SVP, Consumer Products Commercialization (EMEA)
- Jen Desofi, Head of Global Product Creation
- Beth Ritchie, VP, Business Operations, CPGP
- Carmen Smith, Executive Creative Dev-Prod/Content & Inclusive Strategies (dual report to WDI)
- Naveen Seshadri, SVP, Digital and Retail Commerce
- Darlene Papalini, SVP, DPEP Consumer Franchise Strategy/CPGP Marketing
- Susan McLain, SVP, Consumer Franchise Strategy/CPGP Marketing
- Open, Global Commercialization – the below individuals report to Tasia in the interim:
- Paul Gitter, SVP, 3rd Party Commercialization, Marvel, 20th Century Studios & ESPN
- Paul Southern, SVP, 3rd Party Commercialization & Franchise Dev, Lucasfilm, National Geographic and Parks
- J.D. Edwards, SVP, 3rd Party Commercialization, Disney Brands and Pixar
- Rafael Macias, SVP, 3rd Party Retail
- Michael Huddleston, VP, Wholesale
- These changes are effective immediately, and these roles will continue to be based in Florida. Please join me in congratulating Thomas, Stephanie and Tasia on their new positions, and provide them with the support they need for our teams to be successful.
- I’m incredibly excited about the expertise and experience of my leadership team as we continue to steer our business into our second century and create an even larger, more connected, and magical Disney universe for families and fans around the world.