Sonia Coleman: Last News

Disney has upped Tinisha Agramonte to SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, effective immediately, overseeing the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy.

Latondra Newton, who has served as Disney’s chief diversity officer since 2017, is leaving the company. An internal memo from Disney chief human resources officer Sonia Coleman announcing Newton’s departure was circulated to staff Tuesday.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Disney’s chief diversity officer and senior vice president Latondra Newton is exiting her role after more than six years, according to an internal memo obtained by Variety. An individual with knowledge of the situation says that Newton will be joining the corporate board of another company soon, and plans to devote more time to her self-owned creative company. In her role as head of DEI operations at Disney, Newton was charged with overseeing the company’s “commitment to produce entertainment that reflects a global audience and sustains a welcoming and inclusive workplace for everyone.”

After a brief stint at healthcare product maker Medtronic, 15-year Disney veteran Jen Reberger is returning to the entertainment conglom as SVP Human Resources for Disney Entertainment Television. Her hire, effective May 1, was announced in a note to staff by Dana Walden, co-chairman, Disney Entertainment.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Sonia Coleman, a 15-year Disney veteran, is taking on a new role as head of human resources. The Mouse House named Coleman as senior executive vice president and chief human resources officer of the Walt Disney Co., effective April 8. She most recently has served as SVP of human resources for Disney Entertainment and ESPN. Coleman takes over the the top HR job at Disney from Paul Richardson, who is leaving the company after more than 15 years. As head of HR, Coleman will report directly to Bob Iger, who is serving as interim CEO for a two-year term. Coleman will oversee Disney’s HR strategy, global talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, organizational design and cultural development, employee education and development, compensation and benefits, HR operations and technology, and global security.

In a bid to better influence its content and hiring, Disney is moving Tim McNeal's creative talent development and inclusion team into its studio arm. The team will now be housed under Disney Television Studios and report directly to unit president Craig Hunegs.