Disney’s head of corporate affairs quits after 3 months amid gender identity controversies

Disney's corporate affairs chief, Geoff Morrell, was revealed to be stepping down from his post, and he is leaving the company just three months after taking over the role. He left BP plc oil company to join the entertainment firm in January this year.

Morrell’s exit was confirmed by Walt Disney Company's chief executive officer, Bob Chapek, on Friday, April 29. His brief stay in the company has been turbulent as the company faced controversies related to gender identity and its handling of Florida’s law that prohibits sexual orientation in classroom instructions for some students.

The executive worked briefly for Disney at a time when it failed to denounce the controversial “Dont’s Say Gay” bill in Florida. As reported by The New York Post, the company was heavily criticized for not speaking up against the new bill that was signed into law by the state’s Governor Ron DeSantis in late March.

Disney’s CEO said in a memo to employees that was posted late last week announced that Morrell is leaving and vacating the chief corporate affairs officer post to pursue other opportunities. The outgoing executive also issued a statement to explain his resignation. Morrell said that after three months in his new role at Disney, it has become clear to him that it is not a suitable job for him.

As per Deadline, in his announcement, Chapek also went on to reveal that the company had already appointed someone who would take over the role from Morrell. The Disney chief named a Pentagon spokesperson as one of the successors.

Morrell’s former role will be divided and assigned to several people. An insider at the Biden administration and recently -hired Kristina Schake will manage Disney’s communications efforts, while Horacio Gutierrez, the company’s general counsel, will handle government relations and global public policy.

It was added that Jenny Cohen, the executive vice president of corporate social responsibility, will not directly report to Chapek as Disney tries to sort out where it stands and to whom it is donating.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Kristina with us at this important time,” part of Chapek’s memo to staff reads as published by Deadline regarding Schake’s addition to the company. “Her 30-plus years of experience includes roles leading President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine education program, communications for Instagram, and leadership positions in political campaigns and the Obama White House. Kristina has a strategic approach and collaborative style, as well as relentless optimism and a strong appreciation of our brand and its place in the world.”