The Walt Disney Co. is looking to expand its board of directors, and it’s nominated Jeff Williams, the former Apple COO once considered heir apparent to CEO Tim Cook, to join. Williams, who served as Apple’s chief operating officer from 2015 until stepping down in July and finally retiring on Nov. 15, will stand for election as an independent director at Disney’s 2026 annual shareholders meeting.
“Jeff Williams is a highly accomplished executive who for decades helped steward one of the most innovative and admired companies that serves billions of consumers across the globe,” James Gorman, chairman of the board at Disney, said in a press release. “Jeff’s proven leadership and unique experience at the intersection of technology, global operations, and product design make him a valuable nominee to our board as the company continues to focus on creative storytelling and groundbreaking innovation.”
Adding Williams, an Apple veteran of 27 years, would expand Disney’s board from 10 to 11 members. The current board includes James Gorman as chairman, along with GM CEO Mary Barra; former Cisco executive Amy Chang; former Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch; Permira senior advisor Carolyn Everson; Michael Froman, president of the Council on Foreign Relations; Disney CEO Bob Iger; WE Family offices CEO and managing partner Maria Elena Lagomasino; Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald; and former CVS Health EVP Derica Rice.
The nomination comes at a critical time for Disney. The company is investing heavily in AI, mixed-reality experiences, and streaming technology as it works to modernize its business model. Disney has established an Office of Technology Enablement to pioneer AI-driven personalization across its platforms, while Iger has described plans to transform Disney+ into “a portal to all things Disney” using AI.
Williams brings a track record that aligns closely with these priorities. During his nearly three decades at Apple, he was responsible for launching the Apple Watch and architecting the company’s health and fitness strategy. He also oversaw Apple’s design team after its longtime chief Jony Ive retired in 2019, while also managing the company’s global supply chain, service, and support functions.
“I have long admired Disney’s legacy of pairing imagination with innovation—leveraging new technologies in bold, creative ways to bring to life timeless stories and entertain its guests,” Williams said in a statement. “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.”
Williams joined Apple in 1998 as head of worldwide procurement and played a key role in rescuing the very first iPhone launch in 2007 from becoming a total disaster. He was promoted to vice president of operations in 2004 and became COO in 2015. Two years prior to that, he began leading the Apple Watch project, which launched in 2015, and subsequently spearheaded the company’s expansion into health and fitness.
His retirement from Apple was announced in July, with Williams saying he wanted to “spend more time with friends and family, including five grandchildren and counting.” He officially left the company last month after a transition period during which he continued overseeing Apple’s design team directly under Cook. Sabih Khan, who had been serving as senior vice president of operations, succeeded Williams as COO.
Disney shareholders will vote on Williams’s election, along with the reelection of the company’s current 10 directors, at the 2026 annual meeting, which will likely be in March or April. The board is also leading the succession process for Iger. Last October, Gorman said the company expects to name his successor in early 2026; his current contract runs through December 2026.
