Sonia Coleman will be leading human resources for ESPN while at the same time, expanding her role as HR Chief at Disney General Entertainment Content, according to Deadline.
What’s Happening:
- Sonia Coleman, who has previously served in a variety of HR roles at the Walt Disney Company and has led Disney General Entertainment’s HR since 2017 will now be expanding her role within Disney’s content group, adding HR oversight of ESPN to her current role as senior VP, Human Resources, Disney General Entertainment Content.
- Coleman will report to Jimmy Pitaro, chairman, ESPN and Sports Content and Peter Rice, chairman, Disney General. She will also report to Paul Richardson, Disney’s SVP, Human Resources, who had previously served as ESPN’s HR lead before being upped to run Disney’s global HR effort on July 1st.
- In this role, Coleman will be responsible for all diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, employee development and engagement, organizational development, employee relations, recruitment and compensation for both DGE’s and ESPN’s portfolios of businesses. DGE’s businesses include:
- Coleman was previously the HR VP supporting Disney’s corporate officers and overseeing change management initiatives, organizational development and engagement strategies.She also previously ked an HR business partner function for Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media.
What They’re Saying:
- Jimmy Pitaro, chairman, ESPN and Sports Content: “I am personally ecstatic to welcome Sonia to the ESPN leadership team. I know firsthand that she is an extremely talented and capable executive who has earned her outstanding reputation. I’m looking forward to working closely with her and the exceptional HR team Paul built in Bristol to continue serving the people of ESPN.”
- Peter Rice, chairman, Disney General: “Sonia Coleman is an absolutely fantastic business partner and a thoughtful leader whose dedication to finding and supporting world-class employees has driven our creative success”
- Paul Richardson, Disney’s SVP, Human Resources: “Sonia’s dedication to our businesses and advocacy for our employees have been demonstrated time and time again, and I’m thrilled that she’s expanding her scope.”