Christina Sheik will end her four-year term as Disney’s chief communications officer next month, as Bob Iger ends his tenure as CEO.
Sheikh’s departure from his role as the Mouse House’s top communications strategist is not surprising given the executive shake-up underway at Disney. Josh D’Amaro, a veteran of Disney’s parks and experiences division, was promoted to CEO earlier this month, and will officially assume the role at Disney’s annual shareholder meeting on March 18th. Dana Walden, currently co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, will be promoted to president and chief creative officer at the same time.
Mr. Sheikh, who has a background in politics and civil service, joined Disney in April 2022, during the tumultuous two-and-a-half years of Bob Chapek’s tenure as CEO, between Mr. Iger’s first and second terms. Her predecessor, Jeff Morrell, was unpopular within the company and was involved in several gaffes, which didn’t help Chapek during a difficult period at the helm. Although Mr. Sheikh kept a low profile, he was respected within the company for his depth of experience and for establishing better coordination among the company’s many communications executives.
When Iger suddenly returned to the CEO post in November 2022, there was speculation that he would bring about changes at the top of Disney’s communications hierarchy. But the sheikh won his trust.
“Christina is a proven and respected communications leader, and Disney is fortunate to have her expertise and insight at a dynamic time that requires strategic clarity and judgment,” said Iger. “Christina is a skilled strategist, a trusted advisor, and an admired leader whose positive impact on Disney will be lasting. She has strengthened the way the company’s communications are aligned with business and strategic priorities, ensuring that our critical stakeholder audience engages with discipline and purpose. I am grateful for her partnership and friendship, her mentorship, and her countless contributions.”
Sheikh, who is also a senior vice president, joins Disney after working in the Biden administration as a key communications strategist related to COVID-19 pandemic issues as vaccines and other preventative measures were rolled out. Previously, she worked as a top aide to First Lady Michelle Obama during the Obama administration. She also served as deputy director of communications for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. And she is the co-founder of the Equal Rights Foundation of America, which fought against California’s same-sex marriage ban for several years before a 2015 Supreme Court decision established same-sex marriage legal nationwide.
Sheikh’s employment contract with Disney was extended from October last year until June 2027, but a successor has not yet been announced.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve The Walt Disney Company at such a pivotal time in its history,” said Sheikh. “The company I joined in 2022 was very different from what it is today, both reputationally and from a business perspective. I am proud of the work our global communications team has done to support Bob as he steadily puts Disney on track to grow its next generation of leaders. That mission has been successfully completed. I look forward to the next challenge. Working alongside Bob, his management team, and so many outstanding communications professionals has been a privilege I will forever have, and I leave with great respect and great confidence in this agency and Disney’s future under Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden. ”
The full memo that Iger and Sheikh sent to Disney staff on Tuesday is below.
Dear employees and cast members,
I am writing to inform you that Christina Sheik, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, will be retiring from The Walt Disney Company effective March 18, coinciding with the expiration of my term as Chief Executive Officer.
Since joining Disney in 2022, Christina has continued to be an effective and respected leader and trusted advisor through a period of significant change for our company and our industry. Disney was fortunate to have her expertise and wisdom during some of the most important moments of the past four years.
Beyond her strategic expertise, Christina has built and strengthened Disney’s exceptional global communications capabilities into the world-class organization it is today, positioning Disney as a critical partner for companies and leaders. I am personally grateful for Christina’s partnership and friendship and the lasting impact she has had on Disney. Please join us in thanking her for her leadership and wishing her every success in her next chapter. We will share more information about future communications leadership in due course.
Sincerely,
bob
team,
I just wanted to write to you directly and say thank you. Working with this great communications team has been one of the great privileges of my career.
The past four years have been some of the most important in our company’s history, and I couldn’t be more proud of you for showing up at every moment. You brought clarity, creativity, and thoughtful strategy to your work, helping to communicate and advance Bob’s strategic priorities in a way that employees, investors, reporters, and consumers understood and believed.
As Disney begins its next chapter, the company is fortunate to have great leaders in Josh and Dana to lead the way. I look forward to seeing the stories you tell and the impact you continue to have as the chapter unfolds. The talent, care, and creativity of this team is exactly what is needed in this moment, and I know you will shape what comes next in amazing ways.
With gratitude,
Christina
