Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul leaves as executive vice president of communications for Disney Entertainment TV

EXCLUSIVE: Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul, executive vice president of communications, Disney Entertainment Television, is leaving after eight years at Disney. She just shared the news in a note to her team, revealing that she was leaving “to pursue a new opportunity.” Details of Bulochnikov-Paul’s new job are expected to be announced soon.

For the highly regarded 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 vice president of communications at Freeform, on the heels of ABC Family’s rebrand. There, she quickly made a name for herself by leading the first-ever Freeform Summit in January 2018. Shortly after, she left for a nine-month stint at Netflix before returning to her Freeform role in October of that year, establishing a rapid rise through the ranks and expanding her roles 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 senior vice president of communications for ABC Entertainment in 2019; to executive vice president, ABC advertising and general entertainment in 2021; and executive vice president of advertising 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-president of Disney Entertainment.

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

Bulochnikov-Paul’s upward trajectory came to a halt in April when his position changed slightly in the new communications executive structure under new Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro. She remained executive vice president of communications for Disney Entertainment Television, now reporting to new DET President Debra O’Connell and Disney Chief Communications Officer Paul Roeder, with the day-to-day communications responsibilities of Walden, now Disney’s president and chief creative officer, passing to executive vice president April Carretta.

The move likely opened the door for Bulochnikov-Paul to pursue other opportunities. Her departure is not related to Disney’s recent voluntary early retirement offers, for which she was not eligible due to her age and tenure, nor is it related to yesterday’s layoffs at Disney, which did not impact DET.

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

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

In her message, Bulochnikov-Paul also explained how she and her team “overcame our share of challenges and met each of them with good judgment, creativity, resilience and, above all, a real commitment to each other.”

In her role as communications executive within Disney’s portfolio of television and streaming brands, she was tasked with handling Jimmy Kimmel’s brief fall 2025 suspension and, more recently, ABC’s confrontation with the FCC over the Commission’s request for an early review of broadcast licenses.

In his own memo to staff, O’Connell praised Bulochnikov-Paul.

“Naomi has been a wonderful partner to me, Paul and Dana as well as so many others within the company over the years, and she is a thoughtful leader who has built a tremendous communications team that we can count on and trust – and we all know that is something that is earned,” O’Connell wrote. “Naomi’s expertise as a communications strategist has proven essential to us as we have navigated so much together over the past few years. »

Outside of his 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 of multiple sclerosis. Living with MS herself, she received the Medal of Hope from Race to Erase MS for her efforts earlier this year.

Team,

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

There are so many things I will take with me from my time here, but none more meaningful than the privilege of leading this incredible and powerful 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 have also overcome our share of challenges and met each of them with discernment, creativity, resilience and, above all, with a real commitment to each other. And somehow – through it all – we always managed to make the impossible seem entirely planned.

You are all exceptional communicators, but above all exceptional people. I have been inspired daily by your talent, your integrity and the sincere care you bring to work and to each other.
I am deeply grateful to Dana, whose trust and mentorship has shaped my career in countless ways; to Paul, for his leadership and friendship; and to Debra, whose support and generosity of spirit I have greatly appreciated over many years and in many roles.

Disney is where I grew professionally, and I will be forever grateful to the many colleagues who have helped shape me along my journey and who 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 have accomplished together and completely confident in all that you will continue to create.
I will always be in your corner.

Naomi

Here is OConnell’s memo:

Team,

It is with a heavy heart that I share with you Naomi’s note regarding her departure from Disney Entertainment Television. Naomi has been a wonderful partner to me, Paul and Dana as well as so many others within the company over the years, and she is a thoughtful leader who has built a fantastic communications team that we can rely on and trust – and we all know that is something that is earned. Naomi’s expertise as a communications strategist has proven essential to us as we have navigated so much together over the past few years.

While Naomi will certainly be missed, I am excited about what lies ahead for her and know she will bring the same combination of talent, integrity and heart to whatever comes next.

Thank you, Naomi, for your partnership, your leadership, and most importantly, for who you are. We feel better for having you here and I hope you know how deeply appreciated you are.

I wish you every success in this next chapter. There will always be plenty of people here to cheer you on.
With gratitude,

Debra