Walmart Canada announces leadership changes

Walmart Canada has made senior executive leadership changes as part of what the big-box retailer is calling its “journey to transform the customer experience for millions of customers in-store and online.”

Nabeela Ixtabalan, who joined Walmart in 2020 as executive vice-president, people and corporate affairs, has been named chief operations officer.

Meanwhile, chief operating officer Sam Wankowski has moved into the chief merchandising officer role. Since joining Walmart Canada in 2008, Wankowski has held several progressive leadership positions within merchandising and operations.

Laurent Duray has been promoted to chief e-commerce officer and tasked with growing Walmart.ca. Laurent joined Walmart Canada in July 2015 and has held senior positions including vice-president of strategy and senior vice-president of fresh, grocery and consumables.

John Bayliss has stepped into a newly created role within the company: executive vice-president, transformation officer. In this role, Bayliss, who was most recently senior vice-president of logistics and supply chain, will oversee strategy, innovation, corporate development, new store forma and real estate.

"Walmart is known for its excellent people. I am extremely proud and excited for what Nabeela, Sam, Laurent and John will offer our customers as we continue to modernize and transform our business," said Horacio Barbeito, president and CEO, Walmart Canada, in a press release.

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