Speakers Series: Michael Eisner
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
The Walt Disney Company
June 7, 2000
Michael D. Eisner has been chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company since 1984, when he was brought in to direct the revitalization of the company. He has greatly extended and expanded the Disney brand worldwide, re-established the company's world leadership in feature animation, and greatly expanded its presence overseas. Promoting the concept of synergy, he encouraged Disney's varous business units to develop related products and work together in pursuit of common goals. The native New Yorker formerly was president and chief operating officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation and had been a senior executive with ABC Entertainment.
Eisner has strongly encouraged the company and its employees to support local communities including responding to the 1997 Presidents' Summit by committing to one million hours of community service, helping rebuild the burned First AME Zion church in South-Central Los Angeles, and establishing GOALS -- a free youth hockey program for underprivileged youngsters in Orange County, Calif. Under his leadership, Disney has developed two major television events recognizing educators and students: Disney's American Teacher Awards brings together and recognizes 35 of the nation's finest teachers annually and Disney's Young Musicians Symphony Orchstra each year assembles young musicians from North America and Europe for a two-week music camp and an opportunity to perform at a major venue. A graduate of Denison University, he is a Founding Member of the Points of Light Foundation and sits on the boards of numerous educational and philanthropic organizations. He has established and funded The Eisner Foundation, a philanthropic organization headed by his wife Jane.