From Apple to Disney: Former COO Jeff Williams Joins Board
New Role at Disney
Jeff Williams, the former chief operating officer of Apple, is set to join the board of directors at The Walt Disney Company. Disney has nominated Williams as a new independent director, with his election to be confirmed at the company’s 2026 annual shareholders meeting.
Career Highlights at Apple
Williams had a distinguished career at Apple, serving as COO from December 2015 until his retirement in November 2025. In this role, he oversaw Apple’s global operations, customer service, and support. He was also instrumental in leading the engineering and health initiatives for the Apple Watch and headed the design team from 2023 until his departure.
Williams’ Statement
Expressing his enthusiasm about the new opportunity, Williams stated, “I have long admired Disney’s legacy of pairing imagination with innovation, leveraging new technologies in bold, creative ways to bring timeless stories to life and entertain its guests. It is an honor to be nominated to the board of this storied company. I look forward to working with Disney’s talented leadership team and contributing to the company’s ongoing journey of creativity and excellence.”
Board Composition
If elected, Williams will join a board that includes prominent figures such as Disney CEO Bob Iger, GM CEO Mary Barra, and former Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman James Gorman. His addition will expand Disney’s board to 11 members.
Future Outlook
Williams’ nomination comes as Disney continues to expand its board with diverse and experienced leaders from various industries.
