John Bayliss is the founder and managing director of Ascenda Advisors, a boutique consulting firm focused on supporting small and mid-sized retailers. John also serves as a senior advisor and executive in waiting for the Boston Consulting Group.  

Prior to founding Ascenda Advisors, John spent over nine years as a member of the executive committee of Walmart Canada, holding significant roles such as Chief Operations Officer, Chief Expansion Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, and Senior Vice President of Supply Chain. For his transformative efforts at Walmart Canada, John was recognized by the Globe and Mail as one of the Best Executives in Canada in 2023.  

Before joining Walmart, John was a Partner and Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group, advising retail and consumer goods clients across Canada, the US, UK, and Australia.  

John holds a MBA (with distinction) from Harvard Business School as well as an HBA (with distinction) from the Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University.

John is also active in his community, having served on the boards of Food Banks Canada including as Board Chair, and on the board of Luminato Arts Festival.