Anne Sweeney is leaving the co-chair slot at Disney Media Networks and president of Disney/ABC TV Group to pursue a career as a director, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the story.

THR calls the 18-year Disney veteran “the most powerful women” in Tinsel Town.

The 56-year-old, who began her career at Nickelodeon and FX, presides over Disney Channel, which reaches 430M households; ABC broadcast network/studio and a 50 percent stake in A+E Networks.

Those properties generated $11.9B in revenue and $2.6B in annual profit.

Disney CEO Bob Iger said Sweeney’s exit to depart is her own personal decision.

A search has begun for her replacement.