Geoff Morrell, The Walt Disney Co.’s chief corporate affairs officer, is leaving after just three months on the job “to pursue other opportunities,” Morrell and Disney CEO Bob Chapek told employees Friday.
“After three months in this new role, it’s become clear to me that she’s not the right cast for a number of reasons,” Morrell told staff in an email.
The former Bush-era BP executive and Pentagon spokesman joined Disney earlier this year in the new role, which includes overseeing Disney’s communications relationships with the government and public policy efforts.
All three of those areas have been tested over the past few months as the company managed its response to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law. After initially arguing that Disney should remain as apolitical as possible, Chapek and the company have dealt with backlash from employees who feel they don’t have their backs.
Ultimately, the company would take a public stance against the law, but by then it was too late and was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis just weeks later. After signing, Disney argued that it should be overturned or reversed in court.
This position, in turn, drew the ire of Republican lawmakers in the state, who passed legislation (which DeSantis also signed) revoking Disney’s special precinct around Walt Disney World.
Chapek informed employees that Kristina Schake will lead and report to global communications going forward, with government relations and public policy being led by Disney general counsel Horacio Gutierrez. Schake joined Disney earlier this month, reporting to Morrell.
“Kristina has a strategic approach and a collaborative style, as well as unrelenting optimism and a strong appreciation of our brand and its place in the world,” Chapek wrote of Schake. “These qualities will be invaluable as she works to protect and enhance our reputation.”
Read Chapek’s email to staff below.
Team-
I am writing to share the news that Geoff Morrell, our Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, is leaving the Company to pursue other opportunities. Fortunately, the strength and experience of our existing leadership team – including relatively recent All-Star employees – means there is no shortage of talent to lead our reputation-building functions. With Geoff’s departure, I am pleased to announce the following changes:
First, Kristina Schake will lead the communications activities of The Walt Disney Company, reporting directly to me as our Executive Vice President, Global Communications. In this expanded role, Kristina will oversee corporate and segment communications and continue to be our key spokesperson. Our heads of business segment and content communications will continue to report to both division leadership and corporate communications, which is now led by Kristina.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Kristina with us at this important time. Her 30+ years of experience includes roles leading President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine awareness program, communications for Instagram, and leadership roles in Obama’s political campaigns and White House. Kristina has a strategic approach and a collaborative style, as well as unrelenting optimism and a strong appreciation of our brand and its place in the world. These qualities will be invaluable as she works to protect and enhance our reputation, and I look forward to working more closely with her.
Next, Government Relations and Global Public Policy are now led by our General Counsel, Horacio Gutierrez. Since joining the company earlier this year, Horacio has seamlessly integrated into the Disney family and has quickly become a valued advisor to me and the leadership team on a variety of topics. His extensive experience leading these areas will help us advance our efforts.
In addition to his current direct reporting, Susan Fox, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, and Yvonne Pei, Senior Vice President, External Relations, Greater China, will report directly to Horacio, along with Dorothy Attwood, Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy.
Finally, Jenny Cohen, Executive Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, will now report exclusively to me in her role as leader of our CSR and ESG efforts. Jenny is a strong leader and has done incredible work to modernize our approach in key areas such as environmental sustainability, community investment and philanthropy.
I have incredible confidence in this team and look forward to working with them and all of our leaders to set Disney’s course for the next 100 years of exceptional entertainment and experiences.