Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul Departing As EVP Communications For Disney Entertainment Television

EXCLUSIVE: Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul, EVP Communications, Disney Entertainment Television, is leaving after eight years at Disney. She just shared the news in a memo to her team, revealing that she is exiting “to pursue a new opportunity.” Details about Bulochnikov-Paul’s new job are expected to be announced soon.

For the well-liked communications executive, the departure closes a Disney book that had two chapters separated by a break and featured a rising-star storyline.

Bulochnikov-Paul first joined the company in March 2017 as VP Communications at Freeform on the heels of its rebrand from ABC Family. There, she quickly made a name for herself by spearheading the first-ever Freeform Summit in January 2018. Shortly thereafter, she left for a nine-month stint at Netflix before returning to her Freeform role in October of that year, setting up a quick rise through the ranks and expansion of duties across multiple brands and areas, including ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Disney Kids & Family, Disney Television Studios, FX, Hulu Originals, and National Geographic Content.

Bulochnikov-Paul was promoted to SVP of Communications for ABC Entertainment in 2019; to EVP, Publicity for ABC & General Entertainment in 2021; and to EVP, Publicity, and Head of Communications for Disney General Entertainment in 2023, a role that also included leading executive communications for Dana Walden throughout her tenure as co-chairman of Disney Entertainment.

“Disney is where I was raised professionally, and I will be forever grateful to the many colleagues who helped shape me along the way, and have become not only trusted collaborators, but also close friends,” Bulochnikov-Paul said in her team email, which you can read in full below.

Bulochnikov-Paul’s upward trajectory came to a pause in April when her position slightly changed in the new communications executive structure under new Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro. She remained EVP, Communications, Disney Entertainment Television, now reporting to newly elevated DET Chairman Debra OConnell and Disney Chief Communications Officer Paul Roeder, with the day-to-day comms lead responsibilities for Walden, now Disney President and Chief Creative Officer, passed on to EVP April Carretta.

The move likely opened the door for Bulochnikov-Paul to seek other opportunities. Her departure is not related to Disney’s recent voluntary early retirement package offers, for which she wasn’t eligible due to her age and the length of her tenure, or to yesterday’s Disney layoffs, which did not impact DET.

In her note to staff, Bulochnikov-Paul, who also worked closely with Karey Burke at Freeform and ABC, acknowledged Walden, OConnell and Roeder.

“I’m deeply grateful to Dana, whose trust and mentorship have shaped my career in countless ways; to Paul, for his leadership and friendship; and to Debra, whose support and generosity of spirit I’ve valued and benefited from greatly over many years and many roles,” she said.

In her message, Bulochnikov-Paul also spoke how she and her team “weathered our share of challenges and met every single one of them with sound judgment, creativity, resilience and most importantly, a real commitment to one another.”

In her role leading communications across Disney’s portfolio of TV and streaming brands, she was tasked with navigating Jimmy Kimmel’s brief suspension in fall 2025 and more recently, ABC’s face-off with the FCC over the Commission’s demand for an early broadcast license review.

Outside of her career, which includes early stints at Sony Pictures TV, Current TV and MTV, Bulochnikov-Paul has been an advocate for finding a cure and changing the perception about multiple sclerosis. Living with MS herself, she was honored with the Medal of Hope Award from Race to Erase MS for her efforts earlier this year.

Team,

I want to share with you all that after eight extraordinary years, I will be leaving Disney to pursue a new opportunity.

There is so much I will carry with me from my time here, but nothing more meaningful than the privilege of leading this incredible, powerhouse team. Together, we’ve navigated defining moments for our company, championed our talented leaders and creators, and helped our shows and stories break through and become part of the culture. We’ve also weathered our share of challenges and met every single one of them with sound judgment, creativity, resilience and most importantly, a real commitment to one another. And somehow – through it all – we always managed to make the impossible look entirely planned.

You are all exceptional communicators, but even more importantly, exceptional people. I have been inspired daily by your talent, your integrity and the genuine care you bring to the work, and to each other.
I’m deeply grateful to Dana, whose trust and mentorship have shaped my career in countless ways; to Paul, for his leadership and friendship; and to Debra, whose support and generosity of spirit I’ve valued and benefited from greatly over many years and many roles.

Disney is where I was raised professionally, and I will be forever grateful to the many colleagues who helped shape me along the way, and have become not only trusted collaborators, but also close friends.
Thank you for your partnership, your friendship, your humor and your heart. I leave immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together and completely confident in everything you will continue to create.
I will always be in your corner.

Naomi