BURBANK, Calif., August 24, 2009 — Jayne Parker has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), it was announced today by Robert A. Iger, president and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. Ms. Parker will report to Mr. Iger and be responsible for areas that include leading Disney’s overall human resources strategy including global talent attraction, staffing and retention, leadership development, diversity, organizational design and cultural development, employee education and development, compensation and benefits and employee relations. The heads of human resources in Disney’s business units will report to Ms. Parker as well as to the leaders of their respective business units.
“Jayne demonstrated clear leadership and innovation while overseeing human resources, diversity and inclusion for Disney Parks and Resorts’ nearly 100,000 employees worldwide,” said. Mr. Iger. “I’m delighted that she will now apply her results-oriented practices to our entire organization in order to attract, motivate and retain experienced, knowledgeable and creative employees.”
“Disney is successful because of its people – their commitment, their creativity and their passion. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Parks and Resorts division and am honored to now work on behalf of all Disney cast members and employees to continue to attract diverse talent and develop future leaders for all of our businesses,” said Ms. Parker.
Previously, Ms. Parker served as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide. In this position, she had responsibility for all human resources-related services for nearly 100,000 Cast Members, Crew Members and Imagineers globally, including: employee/labor relations, diversity and inclusion, compliance, recruitment, talent planning, learning and development, organizational development, compensation, benefits and workforce planning. She led a team focused on developing and implementing strategies that drove business results, created a positive work environment and experience for Cast, Crew and Imagineers and increased levels of employee engagement. She also served as a member of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Executive Committee.
Prior to that, Ms. Parker was Senior Vice President, Human Resources, leading the HR organization that supported Walt Disney Parks and Resorts domestic businesses (Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line and Disney Vacation Club). Ms. Parker played an integral role in the development of the global Walt Disney Parks and Resorts organization and in establishing and leading a domestic HR organization that strategically supported the Parks and Resorts business and successfully drove results.
Ms. Parker began her Disney career in 1988, developing the programs that became a part of the Disney Institute. Over the next 20 years, she took on positions of increasing responsibility, including Manager and Director of Disney University, Director and Vice President of Organization Improvement and Vice President of Organization and Professional Development.
Prior to joining Disney, Ms. Parker was a consultant with Wilson Learning Corporation, where she was responsible for designing and developing media based programs and management development seminars for education and assessment. During that time, products she developed were awarded first and second place by the International Television & Video Association.
Ms. Parker holds degrees in communications and education, a master’s in instruction design and technology and an MBA, all from the University of Central Florida.
Ms. Parker assumes her new position on September 1.