At the CHOC Foundation, we are fortunate to have board members whose leadership and expertise extend far beyond our hospital walls.
One such leader is Annika Chase, senior vice president of commercial strategy for Disneyland® Resort. In her role, Annika oversees a wide range of holistic commercial needs and revenue-driving functions—from marketing strategy, sales, and services, to food, beverage, and retail—while ensuring a consumer-first approach. Since joining Disney in 2001, she has shaped milestone projects across the globe—from marketing planning for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary to the relaunch of Disney California Adventure® park to early planning for Shanghai Disney Resort.
As a board member, she has been a driving force behind our CHOC Walk in the Park—a three-decade-strong tradition that unites thousands of community members at Disneyland® Resort in support of the greatest needs of the children and families at Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC), now part of Rady Children’s Health. Since the first CHOC Walk in November 1990, over $46 million has been raised. Most recently, the 2025 CHOC Walk brought together over 7,000 participants who raised more than $3 million to help ensure that every child who comes to us has access to world-class care.
Annika’s leadership builds on a legacy of collaboration between CHOC and Disneyland® Resort that traces back to Walt Disney himself. In the 1960s, Walt joined other community visionaries and pediatricians to help establish CHOC as one of the region’s first hospitals for children. Since then, Disney has remained woven into the fabric of CHOC’s story. Together, our partnership with Disneyland has brought joy, hope, and healing to generations of our patients and their families.
In this Q&A, we spoke with Annika as she reflected on the importance of mission-driven work and why she believes in the power of community to create a healthier and brighter future for children.
1. Why does CHOC’s mission of caring for sick and injured kids resonate with you personally, and what inspired you to get involved with CHOC?
Annika Chase (AC): As a mother of two boys, I have always been grateful to have CHOC as part of our community because of the care CHOC provides children and their families when they need it most. I have worked at Disneyland® Resort for 24 years now, and my involvement with CHOC was first inspired by the connection Disneyland and CHOC share—dating back to Walt Disney’s time on their founding board. Every year, our Cast Members donate countless hours to CHOC, and many of them have also received support and care for their own families there. I’ve proudly served on the CHOC Foundation Board since 2017.
2. For over 30 years, the CHOC Walk in the Park, presented by Disneyland® Resort, has become one of our most beloved community traditions. From your perspective, why is this partnership between CHOC and Disneyland® Resort so special? What do you think makes the Walk unique compared to other charitable events, and how does it reflect both Disney’s values and CHOC’s mission?
AC: There is really nothing like CHOC Walk in the Park! It is such an incredible display of passion and perseverance, all to benefit the patients and families that CHOC serves. What is unique about it is the way the community comes together in this special place to honor and celebrate the families who have been touched by CHOC. Disneyland® Resort is proud of our long-standing partnership that dates back to the earliest days of the park. Disneyland is all about enabling and creating shared experiences with the people in your life that you love the most. CHOC’s mission is to nurture, advance, and protect the health and well-being of kids in our community, allowing them to share more moments with their families and loved ones. Both organizations, whether you are two or 82, aim to make people happy, which is why we are such a great match!
3. This past year, you made it possible for our Foundation staff to hold an innovation retreat at the Disneyland Hotel (thank you!). Why was it important to you to share Disney’s model of creativity, collaboration, and culture with CHOC Foundation?
AC: The pace of change is staggering, and I have been fortunate to work in a culture that embraces creativity and innovation in everything we do. As part of my role on the Foundation Board, I wanted to share some of the tools we use at Disney to inspire the Foundation staff as we continue our fundraising efforts. I’m so glad it was helpful, and I hope we can continue to grow in this space together!
4. What message would you like to share with potential donors about why they should support CHOC?
AC: The CHOC Foundation is mission-driven. Everything we do ties back to our goal of fortifying the future of the patients and families we serve at the hospital. The philanthropic support of our generous donors is a critical component of delivering on our mission. I can’t think of a better place to support and create impact on our community.
Philanthropic support is at the core of CHOC’s ability to be there for patients with injuries, illness, or diagnoses that might overshadow the joy of childhood. In partnership with a generous community and our CHOC Foundation Board of Directors, CHOC is with patients every step of the way, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Together, we are helping create a hope-filled picture of healing and joy for our children.
Learn more about our Board of Directors
