Walmart Veteran Daryk Pengelly Tapped by Teikametrics to Spearhead Strategic Growth

BOSTON, MA – December 29, 2025 – In a significant move underscoring the escalating battle for e-commerce supremacy, AI-powered optimization platform Teikametrics has appointed Daryk Pengelly, a former co-founding leader of Walmart Business, as its new Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. The high-profile hire signals a clear intention by the Boston-based firm to deepen its strategic partnerships and leverage insider marketplace expertise to accelerate its growth trajectory.

Pengelly is tasked with leading the company's overarching strategy and forging key alliances to expand the impact of its AI-driven platform, which optimizes over $10 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) for thousands of global sellers on marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart. His appointment is seen by industry watchers as a strategic coup, reflecting a broader trend of top-tier talent migrating from retail giants to the agile tech firms that power their ecosystems.

"Daryk’s wealth of experience in scaling high-growth businesses, coupled with his deep understanding of the B2B and consumer markets, makes him the ideal leader to help us accelerate key areas of the business as we continue to expand the reach and impact of our platform," said Alasdair McLean-Foreman, CEO of Teikametrics, in a statement. The move positions Teikametrics to more aggressively compete in a crowded market of e-commerce optimization tools, where deep marketplace integration and strategic acumen are becoming critical differentiators.

The Architect of Walmart's B2B Ambitions

Pengelly's background is particularly notable for his recent tenure at Walmart, where he was a pivotal figure in the retail behemoth's push into the lucrative business-to-business (B2B) market. As the Head of Membership & Business Development for Walmart Business, he was instrumental in conceiving and launching Walmart Business+, the company's first-ever B2B e-commerce membership program. This initiative, aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, was a cornerstone of Walmart's strategy to capture a larger share of the rapidly expanding B2B e-commerce sector, which is projected to surpass $2 trillion in the U.S. alone.

During his time there, Pengelly's leadership in go-to-market initiatives was credited with driving exponential membership growth and significant brand awareness. His experience extends beyond just membership models; he previously served in Walmart's elite Corporate Strategy group, advising the C-Suite and Board of Directors, and was Chief of Staff for the company's Digital Brands group, which launched new direct-to-consumer brands like Allswell.

This deep, multi-faceted experience within the Walmart ecosystem provides Teikametrics with an invaluable asset. Pengelly brings not just a network, but an intimate understanding of a major marketplace's internal mechanics, strategic priorities, and operational complexities—knowledge that is difficult to replicate and highly sought after by platform partners. His career also includes scaling the B2B SaaS platform Virgin Pulse and leading brand strategy at Reebok, rounding out a profile that blends corporate strategy with high-growth execution.

A Strategic Shift Towards Deeper Partnerships

Pengelly’s appointment comes as the e-commerce optimization landscape undergoes a crucial evolution. The era of standalone software tools is giving way to a demand for integrated, strategic solutions. Brands and sellers are no longer just looking for an advertising algorithm; they need a comprehensive partner that can navigate the complexities of multi-channel selling, supply chain logistics, and ever-changing marketplace rules. The title itself—SVP of Strategy and Business Development—highlights this industry shift.

Teikametrics, which has raised $65 million in funding, has been aggressively innovating its AI-powered platform, Flywheel 2.0. Recent enhancements include the launch of ARI, an AI tool for retailers, and SmartACOS, a predictive AI for setting advertising targets. The platform supports major brands such as Munchkin, Clarks, and Solo Stove. However, technology alone is not enough to win. The future lies in creating a 'commerce operating system'—a concept advanced by competitors like Pacvue—that unifies retail media, commerce operations, and data intelligence.

By bringing Pengelly aboard, Teikametrics is signaling a commitment to building deeper, more strategic relationships with both marketplaces and the brands it serves. His expertise in building B2B programs at Walmart could inspire new, membership-style or integrated enterprise offerings from Teikametrics, creating stickier customer relationships and new revenue streams. His focus will likely be on expanding beyond current integrations, like the one with Walmart Connect, to forge more foundational partnerships that provide a competitive moat.

The Future of AI-Powered Commerce

The broader market context makes this hire even more compelling. B2B buyers now expect the same seamless, personalized, and data-driven experiences they receive as consumers. AI is at the heart of this transformation, with applications ranging from predictive analytics for inventory management to hyper-personalized marketing. According to Gartner, companies with cohesive e-commerce strategies that leverage advanced analytics are significantly more likely to acquire and retain customers.

Pengelly's role is to ensure Teikametrics is not just participating in this trend but leading it. His mission, as he stated, is to "drive meaningful results for our customers and partners." For Teikametrics, this means leveraging its powerful AI engine to solve more complex problems for sellers, guided by a strategy that anticipates the next evolution of digital retail. With an executive who has successfully built and scaled new ventures inside one of the world's largest retailers, the company is better equipped than ever to navigate the future of marketplace optimization and solidify its position as an indispensable partner for brands aiming to win online.