It’s Monday, a new week, a new slate, and another opportunity to lead with clarity.

CEOs In The News is a weekly intelligence briefing for senior leaders, boards, and those shaping the future of business. Each edition curates the most important executive moves, corporate shifts, and leadership trends — with clear insights on why they matter.

Our mission is simple: deliver clarity, signal, and strategic perspective in minutes — so you start the week one step ahead of the boardroom narrative.

The corporate world witnessed another dynamic week of leadership transitions, with significant moves across the Fortune 500 and beyond. At The Walt Disney Company, a new era is set to begin as Josh D’Amaro has been named the next Chief Executive Officer, effective March 18, 2026. D’Amaro, who previously served as Chairman of Disney Experiences, will succeed the iconic Bob Iger, who will remain as a senior advisor and board member through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition. In a related move, Dana Walden has been elevated to President and Chief Creative Officer, forming a new power duo at the helm of the media giant. Over at Constellation Brands, the board has appointed Nicholas “Nick” Fink as the company’s next President and CEO, effective April 13, 2026. Fink, a board member since 2021 and the former CEO of Fortune Brands Innovations, will take the reins from Bill Newlands. In the energy sector, HF Sinclair (No. 150) saw its stock plunge after announcing that CEO Tim Go is taking a voluntary leave of absence amid a disclosure review, with Board Chair Franklin Myers stepping in as interim CEO. The technology landscape was also active, with Science Applications International (No. 496) appointing James “Jim” Reagan as its permanent CEO. Reagan, who had been serving as interim CEO since October 2025, succeeds Toni Townes-Whitley, who was pushed out in a move the board described as a change in direction. Finally, the financial technology sector was shaken by the abrupt departure of PayPal CEO Alex Chriss, who was replaced by former HP CEO Enrique Lores following a period of poor performance that saw the company’s stock fall by 31%.

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The C-suite revolving door is spinning faster than ever, with CEO turnover reaching its highest levels in over a decade. Data from Spencer Stuart’s 2025 S&P 1500 CEO Transitions Report reveals that 168 new CEOs were appointed last year, a record since 2010. This trend was particularly pronounced in the S&P 500, which saw 59 CEO transitions, tying with 2017 and 2020 for the most in a decade. The surge in turnover is not confined to a single market cap but is a broad-based phenomenon, with small-cap companies experiencing the most significant increase in leadership changes.

This acceleration in CEO turnover is driven by a confluence of factors, including intense pressure from activist investors, economic uncertainty, and the relentless pace of technological change. According to a report by Russell Reynolds Associates, a record 32 CEOs resigned within one year of an activist campaign in 2025, a clear indication of the growing influence of these investors. The data shows that boards are becoming less patient and more willing to make a change when a company’s performance falters. This is a significant shift from the past, where CEOs often had a longer grace period to turn things around.

The current environment of heightened CEO turnover is not without historical precedent. The corporate landscape is littered with examples of leaders who have been brought in to navigate crises, with varying degrees of success. The case of Boeing pre-Ortberg serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of a crisis of confidence. The company faced a massive -45% stock impact in the wake of the 737 MAX disasters, a crisis that ultimately led to a leadership overhaul. The subsequent appointment of Kelly Ortberg was a deliberate move to restore trust and stabilize the company. Similarly, the recent struggles of PayPal, which saw its stock plummet by 31% leading to the ousting of CEO Alex Chriss, echo the challenges faced by many companies in the fast-moving tech sector. These historical examples underscore the critical importance of decisive leadership and a clear vision in times of crisis. The ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, rebuild trust, and execute a turnaround strategy are the hallmarks of successful crisis leadership.

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One of the most striking trends to emerge from the latest data is the increasing prevalence of first-time CEOs. In 2025, a remarkable 84% of incoming CEOs were serving in their first enterprise CEO role, a significant increase from previous years. This trend suggests that boards are increasingly willing to bet on internal talent and leaders with deep operational experience, even if they lack prior CEO experience. The most common career path to the top job is via the COO/President role, which accounted for 48% of new CEO appointments in 2025. This is followed by divisional CEOs (30%) and CFOs (9%). The data also reveals a notable decline in the appointment of women to the top job, with only 9% of new CEOs in 2025 being women, down from 15% in 2024. This is a concerning trend that highlights the ongoing challenges of achieving gender diversity in the C-suite.

The high-stakes world of the C-suite is unforgiving, and the past year has provided several cautionary tales of CEOs who have stumbled. The aforementioned departure of Alex Chriss from PayPal is a prime example of a leader who failed to meet the board’s expectations for performance and execution. The voluntary leave of Tim Go from HF Sinclair amid a disclosure review and the subsequent stock plunge also serves as a warning about the importance of transparency and corporate governance [3]. The case of Toni Townes-Whitley at SAIC, who was pushed out after the board decided to move in a “different direction,” highlights the precarious nature of the CEO role, even for those with a strong track record. These examples, along with the ongoing CFO crisis at Supermicro and the accounting scandal at Corporate Travel Management, underscore the immense pressure on today’s leaders to deliver results and maintain the highest ethical standards.

The accelerating rate of CEO turnover is creating a dynamic job market at the highest levels of corporate America. The demand for transformational leaders who can navigate complexity and drive growth is at an all-time high. The data on CEO succession paths provides valuable insights into the skills and experiences that boards are prioritizing. The rise of the COO-to-CEO pipeline suggests that deep operational expertise and a proven ability to execute are highly valued. The decline in the number of CFOs being promoted to CEO may indicate a shift in focus from financial engineering to operational excellence. As companies grapple with the challenges of digital transformation, sustainability, and geopolitical uncertainty, the demand for leaders with a diverse set of skills and a global perspective is likely to continue to grow.

As the pace of CEO turnover continues to accelerate, several companies and leaders are on the watchlist. The ongoing challenges at Boeing, despite recent progress under Kelly Ortberg, mean that the company remains under intense scrutiny. The performance of Starbucks under Brian Niccol will also be closely watched, as the company navigates a challenging consumer environment. The leadership transition at Coca-Cola, with James Quincey moving to an Executive Chairman role and Brian Smith taking over as CEO, will be another key situation to monitor . The broader trend of activist investors targeting underperforming companies suggests that no CEO can afford to be complacent. The pressure to deliver consistent results and create long-term shareholder value has never been greater.

The era of the long-tenured CEO who enjoys a comfortable reign is over. The new normal is one of shorter runways, higher stakes, and relentless pressure to perform. The data from the past year paints a clear picture of a corporate landscape in flux, where boards are more willing than ever to make a change at the top. For aspiring leaders, the message is clear: the path to the C-suite is more challenging than ever, but for those who can demonstrate the right mix of operational expertise, strategic vision, and leadership acumen, the opportunities are immense. The ability to navigate complexity, embrace change, and deliver results will be the defining characteristics of the successful CEOs of tomorrow.

CEOs In The News is published weekly for an audience earning $300K to $10MM. It’s intended for educational use to empower executives for the ongoing week. For executive search inquiries, executive branding needs, board advisory services, or newsletter feedback, contact our editorial team. The opinions in this newsletter are not that of its sponsors.

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