Disney (NYSE: DIS) communications chief Kristina Schake to exit

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

The Walt Disney Company reported that it has exercised its right to terminate without cause the employment of Kristina K. Schake, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, effective March 19, 2026. She will receive separation benefits under the terms of her previously disclosed employment agreement.

A company press release notes that Schake’s departure will coincide with the end of Bob Iger’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer and highlights her role in major corporate communications initiatives since joining Disney in 2022. Disney plans to announce her successor at a later date.

falseWALT DISNEY CO/000174448900017444892026-02-202026-02-20

________________________________________________________________________

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

 CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): February 20, 2026

The Walt Disney Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware			001-38842			83-0940635
(State or other jurisdiction			(Commission File Number)			(IRS Employer
of incorporation)						Identification No.)

500 South Buena Vista Street

Burbank, California 91521

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

(818) 560-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name or address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

DIS

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

________________________________________________________________________

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.    

On February 20, 2026, The Walt Disney Company (the “Company”) exercised its right to terminate without cause the employment of Kristina K. Schake as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, effective as of March 19, 2026. In connection with her termination, Ms. Schake will receive the separation benefits payable in accordance with the terms of her previously disclosed employment agreement.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number						Description
99.1						Press Release dated February 24, 2026.
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

						The Walt Disney Company
By:						/s/ Jolene E. Negre
						Jolene E. Negre
						Deputy General Counsel - Securities Regulation, Governance & Secretary

Dated: February 24, 2026

Exhibit 99.1

KRISTINA SCHAKE TO DEPART AS CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER OF THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

BURBANK, Calif., February 24, 2026 — The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today announced that Kristina Schake, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, will depart the company after March 18, 2026, coinciding with the end of Bob Iger’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer. Schake, who joined Disney in 2022, has served as a member of the company’s senior management team and advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors, helping to advance Disney’s business and strategic objectives, strengthen its long-term positioning, and navigate a period of significant change for the company and the broader industry.

“Kristina is an accomplished and respected communications leader, and Disney has been fortunate to have her expertise and insight during a dynamic period that has demanded strategic clarity and judgment,” said Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “Kristina is a skilled strategist, a trusted advisor, and an admired leader whose positive impact on Disney will be lasting. She strengthened how the company aligns communications with business and strategic priorities, ensuring critical stakeholder audiences are engaged with discipline and purpose. I am grateful for her partnership and friendship, her counsel, and her innumerable contributions.”

“I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve The Walt Disney Company during such a pivotal chapter in its history,” said Kristina Schake. “The company I joined in 2022 was in a vastly different place from where it is today, both reputationally and from a business perspective, and I am proud of the work our worldwide communications team has done to support Bob as he has put Disney on a steady course for growth for the next generation of leaders. With that mission now successfully completed, I’m looking forward to my next challenge. Working alongside Bob, his management team, and so many exceptional communications professionals has been a privilege I will carry with me forever, and I leave with tremendous respect for this institution and great confidence in Disney’s future under Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden.”

Schake’s counsel and communications leadership have been integral to maintaining clarity, consistency, and confidence among employees, partners, investors, consumers, and other key stakeholders during a period of sustained complexity for the business and the industry. During her four years at the company she has shaped the communications strategies for the company’s most consequential moments, including Iger’s return as CEO in November 2022; Disney’s decisive defeat of two proxy challenges; the achievement of profitability in streaming and the integration of Hulu into Disney+; the announcement of a new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi; the launch of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer offering; and the selection of Josh D’Amaro as Disney’s next Chief Executive Officer and Dana Walden as President and Chief Creative Officer.

Prior to joining Disney in 2022, Schake was appointed by President Joe Biden to lead the nationwide COVID-19 vaccine campaign, managing the federal government’s national

public education initiative. Previously, she was Global Communications Director for Instagram. Schake has held key senior roles in government and politics, including Communications Director for First Lady Michelle Obama and Deputy Communications Director for Secretary Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Additionally, Schake co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which led the successful bipartisan public awareness campaign and legal challenge to restore marriage equality in California.

The company will announce Schake’s successor at a later date.

Contacts:

David Jefferson

Corporate Communications

david.j.jefferson@disney.com

(818) 560-4832

Mike Long

Corporate Communications

mike.p.long@disney.com

(818) 560-4588

FAQ

What did Disney (DIS) disclose in this 8-K filing?

Disney disclosed that Kristina K. Schake, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, will have her employment terminated without cause effective March 19, 2026. The filing also notes she will receive separation benefits under her existing employment agreement and includes a related press release.

Who is Kristina Schake and what was her role at Disney (DIS)?

Kristina Schake served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Disney. She was part of the senior management team, advising the CEO and Board, and shaping communications around major events such as Bob Iger’s return, proxy contests, streaming profitability, and other strategic milestones.

When will Kristina Schake’s employment with Disney (DIS) end?

Kristina Schake’s employment will end effective March 19, 2026, following Disney’s exercise of its right to terminate her without cause. The accompanying press release explains that her departure coincides with the end of Bob Iger’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Will Kristina Schake receive severance or separation benefits from Disney (DIS)?

Yes, Kristina Schake will receive separation benefits as provided in her previously disclosed employment agreement with Disney. The 8-K states these benefits are payable in connection with her termination without cause, indicating they follow the contractual terms already described in earlier public disclosures.

Does Disney (DIS) name a successor to Kristina Schake in this disclosure?

Disney does not name a successor to Kristina Schake in this disclosure. The press release explicitly states that the company will announce her successor at a later date, indicating that leadership transition details for the communications role are still to be finalized or publicly shared.

How is Kristina Schake’s departure linked to Bob Iger’s tenure at Disney (DIS)?

The press release states that Kristina Schake will depart after March 18, 2026, coinciding with the end of Bob Iger’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer. This timing highlights that her exit is aligned with a broader leadership transition at Disney’s top executive level.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

Press Releases

• EX-99.1 PRESS RELEASE 8.0 KB

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 2.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 14.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 26.2 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 15.2 KB