The Walt Disney Company is making a notable move to bolster its board of directors, nominating Jeff Williams, the former Chief Operating Officer of Apple, for an independent director position. This announcement comes just weeks after Williams officially retired from the tech giant following a distinguished 27-year career. His potential addition would expand Disney’s board from ten to eleven members, a decision that underscores the entertainment conglomerate’s strategic pivot towards technology-driven innovation.
Williams, who stepped down from Apple in July and concluded his tenure on November 15, is slated to stand for election at Disney’s 2026 annual shareholders meeting. His extensive background at Apple, where he was once considered a potential successor to CEO Tim Cook, aligns directly with Disney’s current initiatives. James Gorman, chairman of the board at Disney, highlighted Williams’s qualifications, stating that his “proven leadership and unique experience at the intersection of technology, global operations, and product design make him a valuable nominee to our board.” This sentiment reflects Disney’s aggressive pursuit of modernization, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, mixed-reality experiences, and advanced streaming technology.
Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, has been vocal about transforming Disney+ into “a portal to all things Disney” through the integration of AI, and the company has established an Office of Technology Enablement specifically to drive AI-powered personalization across its platforms. Williams’s nearly three decades at Apple saw him spearhead significant projects, including the launch of the Apple Watch and the development of the company’s health and fitness strategy. He also assumed oversight of Apple’s design team after Jony Ive’s departure in 2019, alongside managing the company’s intricate global supply chain and customer support functions. These experiences directly resonate with Disney’s stated technological ambitions.
Williams himself expressed admiration for Disney’s “legacy of pairing imagination with innovation,” acknowledging the company’s use of new technologies to bring stories to life. His journey at Apple began in 1998 as head of worldwide procurement, and he is credited with playing a crucial role in the successful launch of the original iPhone in 2007. Promoted to vice president of operations in 2004 and COO in 2015, Williams led the Apple Watch project starting in 2013, which ultimately launched two years later, solidifying Apple’s foray into wearables and health technology.
The current Disney board features a diverse group of leaders, including General Motors CEO Mary Barra, former Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch, and Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald, among others. Williams’s nomination introduces a distinct perspective rooted in consumer technology and global operations. His retirement from Apple, announced as a desire to spend more time with family, including five grandchildren, followed a transition period where he continued to oversee Apple’s design team directly under Cook. Sabih Khan has since taken over his COO responsibilities at Apple.
Shareholders will cast their votes on Williams’s election, as well as the re-election of the ten current directors, at the 2026 annual meeting, typically held in March or April. This period also coincides with the ongoing succession planning for Bob Iger, whose current contract extends through December 2026. Gorman indicated last October that a successor is expected to be named in early 2026, underlining a period of significant strategic appointments and transitions for the iconic entertainment company.
