Rich Ross

Former Chairman, Walt Disney Studios

A seasoned entertainment executive and the first openly gay studio cheif, Rich Ross formerly served as Group President of Discovery Channel and Science Channel, CEO of Shine America, President of Entertament at Disney Channel, and Chairman of Walt Disney Studios. Under his tenure at Disney Channel, Rich established Disney’s dominance of the tween market with shows such as “Hannah Montana,” “Lizzie McGuire,” “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” and “That’s So Raven.” He also launched the worldwide hit “High School Musical” series, as well as the “Camp Rock” and “The Cheetah Girls” series. At Walt Disney Studios, Rich oversaw some of the highest-grossing films of all time, such as “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Toy Story 3.”