Lee Cockerell

Lee Cockerell is the former Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World Resort, where he led a team of 40,000 Cast Members for a decade. During his tenure, he managed the operations of 20 resort hotels, four theme parks, two water parks, a shopping and entertainment village, and the ESPN sports complex, making it the world’s top vacation destination. One of his key contributions was the creation of Disney Great Leader Strategies, a program designed to train and develop over 7,000 leaders at the resort.

Before joining Disney, Cockerell held executive roles in the hospitality and entertainment industry, working with Hilton Hotels for eight years and Marriott Corporation for 17 years. He played a pivotal role in launching Disneyland Paris and has served on various boards, including the Heart of Florida United Way and The Culinary Institute of America. Governor Jeb Bush appointed him to the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Public Service, where he served as Chairman.

After retiring from Disney, Cockerell became a renowned speaker and author, sharing his insights on leadership, management, and service excellence. His books, "Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney" and "The Customer Rules: The 39 Essential Rules for Delivering Sensational Service," have been published in multiple languages. He continues to conduct leadership workshops and provide consulting services through his company, Lee Cockerell, LLC. He also hosts the podcast "Creating Disney Magic," where he further expands on how to be a great leader.

Cockerell's approach to leadership emphasizes practical, common-sense strategies for fostering outstanding customer service and effective management. His experience with global brands like Hilton, Marriott, and Disney has shaped his philosophy, which he now shares with organizations worldwide to help them achieve excellence and create their own "magic."