Sylvester John

As a Walmart corporate officer and head of US Reverse Supply Chain, Sylvester is responsible for managing the disposition of products and used assets, including returns center operations, recommerce, and sustainability initiatives. Prior to this role, as SVP for Africa eCommerce, he was a member of the Walmart Africa executive committee, responsible for driving the overall digital commerce strategy, including omnichannel. Previously in the US eCommerce business, he founded and led last mile delivery, growing it into a multi-billion-dollar operation. Preceding his time with Walmart US eCommerce, he served as the Executive Head of Walmart West Africa for 2 years, based in Nigeria. Previously he had numerous experiences in various departments within the fresh grocery merchandising unit of Walmart US, including managing a portfolio within Dairy.

Prior to Walmart, Sylvester had a long career with the international development organization, Enactus, where he was International President responsible for a 36-country network operation. Before Enactus, Sylvester held the position of Marketing Specialist with United Parcel Service’s (UPS) business development division in North Florida after serving as their Human Resources Recruiter, hiring employees for the 2nd largest US hub.

He graduated from the University of North Florida (UNF) with Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in both Marketing and Management and pursued an MBA at Webster University. A former board chairman of the leading data source for global philanthropy, Candid.org, Sylvester also received the Constituency for Africa’s African Pioneer award in 2012 and his Alma Mata, UNF, honored him in 2007 and 2009 with the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year and Prime Osborne Distinguished Business Leader awards, respectively.