Disney Board Elects Oracle, Illumina Execs As Directors

BURBANK, CA – The heads of the global technology company Oracle Corp. and the biotechnology firm Illumina Inc. are joining the Walt Disney Co. Board of Directors, effective Feb. 1, it was announced Thursday.

"Safra Catz and Francis deSouza are extremely well-respected in their fields, and each brings an innovative and valuable perspective to our business," said Disney Chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger.

"Ms. Catz has led Oracle through a period of tremendous growth and innovation since taking the helm in 2014, driving the company's impressive acquisition strategy and expanding its operations," Iger said. "Mr. deSouza has overseen the development of groundbreaking genomics technology at Illumina that pushes the boundaries of science, significantly impacting the well-being of people around the world."

Catz said she was honored to be elected to Disney's board.

"As technology and entertainment further converge, it's an exciting time for the company and I look forward to working with the board in continuing Disney's rich legacy of innovation," she said.

DeSouza called it "a privilege to be a part of such an iconic institution."

"At both Disney and Illumina, we have very similar goals: to touch people's lives," he said. "Disney does it through first-class storytelling and Illumina does it through cutting-edge science."

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--City News Service/Images courtesy of Walt Disney Company