Catherine Powell Leaves Disney After 15 Years; Restructuring Eliminates Position

Catherine Powell, the former President of Disney Parks Western Region, has left the company, according to Bloomberg. Powell, credited with reinvigorating the two Disneyland Paris theme parks at her time there, has had her position eliminated as restructuring occurs within the company. The heads of the individual resorts will now report directly to Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Products division.

Catherine has had an expansive and diverse 15-year career with the company, including a variety of leadership positions across three continents.

Most recently, Catherine served as President of Disneyland Paris, Europe’s top tourist destination and a regional brand beacon for The Walt Disney Company. Catherine spearheaded several successful initiatives during her time at Disneyland Paris, and the resort was reinvigorated under her leadership.

Prior to her role at Disneyland Paris, Catherine was Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand. Based in Sydney, she was responsible for driving the company’s commercial and creative strategy, coordinating and leading all company business divisions, overseeing franchises, expanding existing businesses, and seeking out new business opportunities in the region.

Catherine also led the Media Distribution division of The Walt Disney Company in Europe, Middle East and Africa. She was responsible for the design and implementation of commercial strategies for the linear TV and digital media distribution of channels and content for the company, including Walt Disney Studios, ABC Studios, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, ABC News, music, mobile apps, games and other interactive content.

She also served as Disney Media Distribution’s Senior Vice President, Sales – UK, Ireland, France, Nordic, Benelux and Israel; and prior to that, as Executive Director – Sales, UK and Ireland.

Catherine joined the company in 2004 as Creative Director, Portfolio Development Group, where she was responsible for formats and local production activity across entertainment formats and scripted revisions of shows from ABC Studios.

Prior to joining the company, Catherine worked for BBC Worldwide for seven years, where she held various senior TV sales roles across territories including Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, Germany and Spain/Portugal.

Catherine is a graduate of Oxford University where she studied PPE (Politics Philosophy Economics). She is fluent in English, French and German. She was a trustee of the Sydney Opera House. In 2015, Catherine was elected a member of the Chief Executive Women in Australia, and in 2016 received the Women Worth Watching award from Profiles in Diversity Journal.