Disney Extends Kristina Schake Contract Through June 2027

Disney has renewed its employment agreement with Kristina Schake, senior EVP and chief communications officer, through June 2027.

Schake oversees Disney’s worldwide communications strategy and operations, while also serving as the Mouse House’s lead spokesperson.

The term of Schake’s employment agreement was extended to June 30, 2027, and her annual base salary was increased to $875,000, effective on Oct. 15, 2025, with “future increases at the Company’s discretion,” Disney disclosed in an SEC filing Thursday. Schake’s target annual bonus opportunity (150% of her annual salary) and target long-term equity incentive annual award value (350% of base salary) were unchanged.

For Disney’s 2024 fiscal year ended Sept. 28, Schake received a salary of $797,550, as well as $2.86 million in stock awards, $953,004 in stock options, a $1.72 million cash bonus and $95,515 in other compensation for a total pay package worth $6.43 million.

Prior to joining Disney in June 2022, Schake spent three decades working in government, media, business, entertainment and technology. Most recently, she was appointed by President Biden to lead the nationwide COVID-19 vaccine education campaign and before that was Instagram’s global communications director.

Schake has held key senior roles in government, including communications director for First Lady Michelle Obama and deputy communications director for Secretary Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Additionally, Schake co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which led the successful bipartisan public awareness campaign and legal challenge to restore marriage equality in California. She began her career as a speechwriter for L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan.