Jeff Williams, a former top Apple executive who retired earlier this year, has been nominated to stand for election as a new independent director of Disney at the company’s upcoming 2026 annual meeting of shareholders. If elected, Williams will join the board, which will be expanded to 11 members, effective immediately following the election of directors at the annual meeting. Disney typically holds its annual shareholders meetings in late March or early April.
The decision to add Williams to Disney’s board comes as the company prepares to announce a successor to CEO Bob Iger in early 2026. Williams most recently served as Apple’s chief operating officer before his departure in July 2025. During his tenure at Apple, which spanned nearly three decades, Williams oversaw the design team, managed the global supply chain, and led the company’s service and support functions. He played a pivotal role in the launch of the Apple Watch and was instrumental in shaping the company’s health and fitness strategy.
In a statement, Disney’s chairman, James P. Gorman, praised Williams for his leadership and experience in technology, global operations, and product design, highlighting his contributions to Apple’s success. Williams expressed his admiration for Disney’s history of combining imagination with innovation and leveraging new technologies to entertain audiences worldwide. He looks forward to collaborating with Disney’s leadership team and contributing to the company’s legacy of creativity and excellence.
Williams joined Apple in 1998 as head of worldwide procurement and held various roles before being appointed COO in 2015. He played a key role in the launch of the first iPhone in 2007 and spearheaded the development of the Apple Watch and the company’s foray into health and fitness. Prior to Apple, Williams had a background in engineering and operations at IBM. He holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and an MBA from Duke University.
Currently, Disney’s board of directors includes prominent figures such as James Gorman, Bob Iger, Mary Barra, Amy Chang, Carolyn Everson, Michael Froman, Maria Elena Lagomasino, Calvin McDonald, Derica Rice, and Jeremy Darroch. In July 2024, Oracle CEO Safra Catz stepped down from Disney’s board after six years, now serving as a director for Paramount Skydance under chairman and CEO David Ellison.
The addition of Jeff Williams to Disney’s board signals the company’s commitment to innovation and creative storytelling as it navigates the changing landscape of entertainment and technology. His expertise and leadership will undoubtedly be valuable assets as Disney continues to push the boundaries of imagination and bring timeless stories to life for audiences around the world.
