ABC News Executive Team Cut Following Disney Layoffs
variety.comBrian Steinberg Senior TV Editor ABC News will shrink the size of its executive team in the wake of layoffs ordered by its corporate parent, Walt Disney Co.
Among the senior executives leaving the Disney news unit are Wendy Fisher, the senior vice president of newsgathering who joined the organization in 1989 as a desk assistant; Galen Gordon, senior vice president of talent strategy and development; Mary Noonan, vice president of talent strategy and development; and Alison Rudnick, a media industry veteran who joined ABC News from CNN in 2021 to represent ABC News President Kim Godwin as vice president of corporate communications.
Others who are leaving include Chris Vlasto, a veteran senior executive producer who led ABC News’ investigative unit; Heather Riley, an executive editorial producer who has long been seen as a trusted lieutenant of anchor George Stephanopoulos; and David Herndon, ABC News’ Los Angeles bureau chief who has been with ABC News since joining as a producer in 1999.
In all, Disney is expected to cut 50 positions from the news unit, according to a person familiar with the matter, which produces “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight” and “20/20” — some of ABC’s best-known programs.
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