MEET OUR OPENING KEYNOTE

Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence

A leader is far more than a title – leadership is about taking actions to create sustained, positive transformations within an organization. Great leaders align their own values and vision with those of their business and help operationalize them for the future. The most meaningful way to demonstrate these attributes is to passionately communicate your shared vision and practice what you and your company stand for. Leaders also cultivate committed and engaged employees who strive to lead as well.

It is this approach to leadership that is responsible for The Walt Disney Company’s legacy known around the world today. Disney Institute shares a time-tested approach that demonstrates the values and behaviors of exemplary leaders. Leaders who intentionally nurture an environment of mutual trust and respect find that they create stronger employee performance, exceptional customer service and ultimately greater business results. Connecting great leadership to improved performance is just one of the ways that Disney Institute helps organizations reimagine their results.

This engaging keynote will capture the “big idea.” This high-level introduction into the Disney approach to leadership excellence shares a few overarching themes through their lens. The goal is to inspire and engage you by fostering an awareness of how Disney thinks.

  Ryan Gianetta

 Ryan Giannetta incorporates over 12 years of project management and operations   
 experience into helping organizations explore Disney insights as they strive to enhance
 the way they do business.

Ryan’s Disney career began in 2001 as an attractions host at the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Working various roles in attractions coupled with his passion for guest service led him back to his native state of California to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., where he joined the cast of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.

After just a few months, Ryan had the opportunity to help create the Disneyland Resort hotels guest

activities department. The program continues to offer hotel guests one-of-a-kind experiences ranging from learning how to draw Mickey Mouse to private shopping experiences in the Downtown Disney district.

Ryan’s leadership qualities and customer insight were quickly recognized, and in 2003 he was selected to join Disney University, the cast member training division of The Walt Disney Company, as an orientation leader. Ryan’s varied service background and passion for teaching his fellow cast members motivated him to then transition to human resources. With that department, Ryan helped execute the first Disney Leadership Conference and worked as cast activities representative during the Disneyland 50th  anniversary celebration in 2005.

In 2006, Ryan returned to his customer service roots by accepting a position as guest services manager for the Disneyland Resort hotels. Focusing on the development and growth of cast members and the hotels’ daily operation allowed Ryan to develop training teams and implement process improvements.

As a project logistics manager for the Disneyland Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney district, Ryan was responsible for logistics relating to development and capital improvements to ensure a seamless guest experience. Ryan joined the Disney Institute team in 2010 to help other professionals explore and adapt the Disney business insights he has utilized throughout his career.