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Dana Walden
American businessperson (born 1964) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Dana Michelle Walden (née Freedman; born 1964 or 1965)[1] is an American businesswoman and the co-chairman of Disney Entertainment. She currently serves as a member of the President's Export Council.[2]
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Career
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Fox Television Group
Before her tenure at Disney Entertainment, Walden was previously chairman and CEO of Fox Television Group,[3] which included Fox Broadcasting Company, 20th Century Fox Television, Fox 21 Television Studios, Fox Consumer Products and the syndication supplier, 20th Television.[4][5]
The Walt Disney Company
Walden was chairman of Entertainment at Walt Disney Television. On June 9, 2022, Walden replaced Peter Rice as Chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content.[6][7]
Dana Walden was named co-chairman of Disney Entertainment on February 8, 2023, where she is responsible for global streaming and television.[8][9] As part of this role, Walden leads ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Branded Television, Disney Television Studios (20th Television, ABC Signature, 20th Television Animation and Walt Disney Television Alternative), Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and Onyx Collective. Under her leadership, The Walt Disney Company earned a record 183 Emmy Award nominations in 2024.[6]
In April 2024, CNBC reported that Walden was in the running to become Disney's next CEO,[10] if chosen, she would be the first female CEO of Disney in its 100-year history.[11]
Other board positions
Walden sits on the board of directors for Live Nation Entertainment[12] and UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.[13]
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Personal life
Walden married Matt, a business executive, in 1995.[14] They have two daughters.[15] As of 2024[update], they live in Brentwood, Los Angeles.[1] Her grandmother Rose Freedman, an immigrant from Austria, was a survivor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire who lived to the age of 107.[16] She is of Jewish descent.[17]
Politics
Walden has donated to Democratic Party politicians and hosted fundraising events for the party.[1] She and her husband have also been longtime friends of Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff.[1]
President Joe Biden appointed Walden to the President's Export Council and to the primary advisory committee on international trade in 2023.[18]
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Awards and accolades
Walden was named MIPCOM's Personality of the Year in 2015.[19] She has been named "Showman of the Year" by Variety and "Executive of the Year" in 2019 by The Hollywood Reporter.[20][21] In 2021, Walden was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business.[22] In 2023, Walden ranked 39th in Forbes Magazine's list of "World's 100 most powerful women".[23] She was ranked 39th on Fortune's list of Most Powerful Women in 2023.[24]
In 2024, the Producers Guild of America announced that Walden will receive the guild's Milestone Award at the 36th Producers Guild of America Awards ceremony.[25]
References
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