Walt Disney Co. has elected a finance and investment professional to serve as an independent member of its board. Maria Elena Lagomasino will begin as a director for the Burbank entertainment and media giant effective Dec. 1 and stand for election at next year’s annual meeting, Disney announced Tuesday. Lagomasino is chief executive of WE Family Offices, a financial advisory firm in New York. She has also served as chief executive of wealth management firm of GenSpring Family Offices, in Jupiter, Fla., and JP Morgan Private Bank, in New York. Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said the company and its shareholders will benefit with Lagomasino on the board. “Ms. Lagomasino is a respected leader in the finance and investment field and also has a wealth of experience with, and keen understanding of, global consumer brands,” Iger said in a prepared statement. In addition to Disney, Lagomasino also serves on the boards of Coca-Cola Co., Avon Products Inc. and the Americas Society. Shares closed Wednesday down 92 cents, or nearly 1 percent, to $101.57 on the New York Stock Exchange.