Zenia Mucha
Zenia Mucha (born 1957) is an American businesswoman who was the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of The Walt Disney Company. Early life and education. Mucha was born in Poland to Ukrainian parents who spent time in work camps in Nazi Germany. She immigrated to New York City at age 9. Mucha graduated from the lower East side St. George Ukrainian Catholic School. Mucha studied political science at Brooklyn College. Career. Mucha began her professional career in politics, serving as communications director and campaign manager for U.S. Senator Al D'Amato. She took leaves to work  on the campaigns of Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. She later worked as the director of communications and as an influential senior policy advisor to Governor of New York George Pataki. Mucha joined the Walt Disney Company in 2001, as Senior Vice President of Communications for the ABC Broadcast Group and the American Broadcasting Company. Since 2002, Mucha has led communications for all of Disney’s strategic business initiatives including the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm. Under Mucha's leadership, Disney launched D23, the first-ever official Disney fan club, with members in 50 U.S. states and  35 countries. In July 2021 it was announced that Mucha opted not to renew her $4.9 million contract with Disney, and she left the company in early 2022 after nearly 20 years. Awards. In 2012, Mucha received the Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications. In 2017, she was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame.