Former Disney Executive Shares Leadership Lessons from 37-Year Career

Cheryl Christensen, the former director of learning and development and director of HR services at The Walt Disney Company, shared leadership and customer experience insights derived from her 37-year tenure with the organization. Christensen began her career in entry-level positions, including bussing tables and emptying trash, before advancing into the Guest Communications department and the Total Guest Satisfaction team.

During her time in guest relations, Christensen collected feedback and provided strategic recommendations to Paul Pressler, then president of Disneyland, to enhance the guest experience. She highlighted the necessity of responding to customer feedback to close the loop and emphasized the role of servant leadership and a strong company culture in organizational success.

After leaving Disney, Christensen moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President of operations and programming at The Gathering Place community park.