Helene Hahn Loyd, a trailblazing executive who held top roles at Disney and DreamWorks SKG, has passed away at the age of 78. Loyd died peacefully in her sleep on October 24 in Park City, Utah.
Born in Westbury, New York, Loyd graduated from Hofstra University in 1970 and later earned her law degree from Loyola Law School in 1975. She began her career at Paramount Pictures before rising to executive vice president at Walt Disney Studios in 1981, becoming one of the highest-ranking women in the film industry. Loyd played a pivotal role in Disney’s partnership with Pixar during the company’s renaissance period.
In 1994, Loyd was among the first executives recruited to build DreamWorks SKG, where she eventually became chief operating officer. Known for mentoring aspiring female executives, Loyd left DreamWorks in 2004 and moved to Park City, where she pursued skiing as a passion.
The family has requested that donations in their memory be made to U.S. Ski & Snowboard, honoring Loyd’s and her late husband Charles “Chuck” Loyd Jr.’s love of skiing and commitment to supporting young athletes.