Disney Names Emily Feingold Communications Executive
Feingold, who left Netflix after nine years, will oversee media relations and enterprise messaging at Walt Disney Co.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in People
Walt Disney Co. has appointed Emily Feingold as executive vice president of communications, filling the role held by David Jefferson. Jefferson accepted the company's voluntary early retirement offer and will remain through the end of the month.
Why it matters
The move places a new communications leader over media relations, financial and technology communications, and enterprise messaging at a major entertainment company. It follows a broader leadership shift at Disney, including Josh D'Amaro's appointment as CEO.
Feingold spent nine years at Netflix before leaving about five months ago, while Jefferson's Disney communications tenure totals roughly 15 years. The announcement does not disclose start dates or compensation for either executive.
The players
Walt Disney Co.
The Burbank-based entertainment conglomerate known for its film studios, theme parks, and streaming services.
Emily Feingold
A communications executive who previously held senior roles at Netflix and Ralph Lauren and began her career at the White House.
David Jefferson
A longtime Disney communications executive who previously spent 14 years at the Wall Street Journal and served as a top editor at Newsweek.
Paul Roeder
Disney's senior executive vice president and chief communications officer, to whom Feingold reports.
Josh D'Amaro
The executive named Disney's chief executive officer in the company's recent leadership changes.
The details
Feingold previously served as vice president of corporate communications at Ralph Lauren and began her career at the White House. In her new role she reports to Paul Roeder, who became senior executive vice president and chief communications officer in March, and will oversee media relations, financial and technology communications, and enterprise editorial, executive and brand messaging.
Timeline
2009: David Jefferson first joined Disney's public relations ranks.
End of 2010: Jefferson left Disney.
January 2013: Jefferson returned to Disney in corporate communications.
March 2025: Jefferson was promoted to executive vice president of corporate communications.
March: Roeder became senior executive vice president and chief communications officer.
Market Landscape
The appointment reflects a pattern in which streaming-era communications executives move into traditional entertainment companies as those firms reorganize around digital distribution. It places Disney's communications function under a leader with recent experience at a leading streaming competitor.
For consumers, leadership changes in corporate communications rarely alter product prices, availability, or subscription terms directly. The effects on customers would show up only if the new leadership changes how Disney announces pricing or service decisions.
The takeaway
Leadership changes in corporate communications often signal how a company plans to manage its public image during a period of restructuring. Readers tracking Disney's direction can watch how its messaging evolves under its new communications leadership.
Further reading
For more on corporate leadership moves, see People coverage.
