Former Apple COO Jeff Williams poised to join Disney’s board following his retirement

Jeff Williams’ post-Apple chapter is taking shape quickly, as the former chief operating officer is now positioned to join the Walt Disney Company’s board. After retiring from Apple earlier this year and completing a transition of responsibilities, Williams has been named as a nominee for election at Disney’s 2026 shareholder meeting, where the board is expected to expand in size.

His potential arrival comes at a moment when Disney is deepening its focus on technology-driven storytelling and preparing for its next phase of growth across entertainment, parks, and streaming. Williams, who spent decades shaping Apple’s global operations and product development systems, is seen as a strategic addition with experience navigating complex innovation pipelines.

In remarks shared by Disney, Williams said he has long admired how the company uses technology to elevate creative work and expressed excitement about contributing to its future direction.

The move highlights a growing overlap between the tech and entertainment sectors, building on a history of Apple-Disney executive connections that once included Bob Iger’s seat on Apple’s board before the debut of Apple TV+.