Dana Walden

As Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, Dana Walden oversees Disney’s full portfolio of entertainment media, news and content businesses globally, including Disney’s streaming business. In this role, Walden leads Disney’s world-renowned, award-winning content brands and businesses, including ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Branded Television, Disney Television Studios, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and Onyx Collective. She also oversees the marketing, operations, distribution and business groups across these brands and has shared oversight of direct-to-consumer, technology, and ad sales groups, as well as international content and operations.

Under Walden’s leadership, ABC has secured its position as the No. 1 entertainment network for four consecutive seasons – the first time that has happened in more than 25 years. Since she began overseeing Hulu’s signature Original series in 2019, the streamer has seen record viewership for such hits as “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Kardashians” and “Only Murders in the Building.” Additionally, ABC News continues to dominate as the No. 1 news network in America, with such iconic programs as “20/20,” “Good Morning America,” “Nightline” and “World News Tonight with David Muir.”

Over the past three decades, Walden has overseen the development and production of some of the most celebrated shows in the history of the television industry, including “24,” “Glee,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Homeland” and “This Is Us”; culture-defining franchises like “American Horror Story,” “black-ish,” “Family Guy” and “The Simpsons”; unscripted stalwarts like “American Idol,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live”; children’s programming like “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Bluey,” the No. 1 most-watched streaming series in 2024; and the most current breakout hits, “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear,” “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” and “Shōgun.” In 2024, programming under Walden’s oversight earned an impressive 395 Emmy® nominations and 115 wins across daytime, primetime, children & family, and news & documentary categories. Throughout her career, teams under Walden’s supervision have been responsible for programs that have won more than 1,000 awards.

Walden previously served as chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content overseeing original entertainment and news programming for Disney’s streaming platforms, broadcast and cable networks. Prior to joining Disney, Walden was CEO of Fox Television Group, which included Fox Broadcasting Company, 20th Century Fox Television, Fox 21 Television Studios, Fox Consumer Products and the syndication supplier, 20th Television. In the four years she oversaw Fox Broadcasting Company, she took the network from fourth place to first. During her 25 years at 21st Century Fox, the studios overseen by Walden amassed 184 Emmy wins, 29 Golden Globes®, 17 Screen Actors Guild Awards and 24 Peabody Awards and Humanitas Prizes.

In 2021, Walden was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business. She has received the National Association of Television Program Executive’s Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award and was named MIPCOM’s Personality of the Year. Just recently, she was honored as a CNBC Changemaker, a distinction that recognizes women who are transforming business. She sits on the board of directors for UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Saban Free Clinic of Los Angeles. Additionally, Walden is a member of USC’s President’s Leadership Council and the President’s Circle of the NAACP. She also was appointed by President Biden to the President’s Export Council, the national advisory committee on international trade.