Christine McCarthy, The Walt Disney Company's CFO and senior executive vice president, is stepping down from her current role in order to take family medical leave, the company said in a press release. McCarthy will remain with the company as a strategic advisor while also aiding in the eventual long-term replacement.
Kevin Lansberry, current executive VP and CFO of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products division, is to serve as the interim finance chief until McCarthy's successor has been appointed and transition has taken place.
McCarthy said in the release, “I am immensely grateful for the opportunity Bob [Iger] provided me to serve as CFO of this iconic company ... Although I am leaving the CFO role, I look forward to helping with the transition and will always be rooting for the success of my extended Disney family, who have shown time and again that determination, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence are an unstoppable combination.”
McCarthy was named Disney's first female CFO in 2015, which made her the highest-ranking female executive in the company's history. She had served as Disney's treasurer since 2000.
McCarthy oversaw consistent growth in the company since she began her role as CFO, as the company expanded its media presence, in part, from the acquisition of 21st Century Fox Assets, the launch of streaming channels ESPN+ and Disney+, and the success of the Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) franchises.
McCarthy made headlines late last year after, in the wake of Disney's struggling media and entertainment distribution division, had expressed lack of confidence in then-CEO Bob Chapek to the board of directors. Chapek was replaced by former CEO, Bob Iger, in short order.