Why We Started with Y
The Ascend Academyy exists to prepare leaders, strengthen organisations, and shape future professionals through one simple belief:
THE STORY OF ASCEND
The Genesis of Ascend
Ascend began with a recurring pattern we saw across organisations.
High performers were promoted faster than they were prepared. They stepped into leadership roles without the perspective, confidence, or readiness those roles required. Organisations expected readiness — but rarely built it.
Ascend was created to close this gap.
Not as a training company, but as a leadership readiness platform.
WHY THE EXTRA “Y”
Why Academyy?
The extra Y is intentional.
It stands for Why.
Most leadership challenges don’t come from lack of knowledge. They come from lack of context. We believe leadership begins by asking why roles exist, why decisions matter, and why change is needed.
Better questions create better leaders.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Start with Y
We believe preparation must come before promotion.
Systems must support growth.
And careers must be built on perspective, not assumptions.
Across leadership programs, consulting engagements, and workshops, we follow one philosophy:
MEET THE FOUNDERS
The People Behind Ascend
Retail leadership veteran with over 30 years of experience across large-format retail and people development.
His work focuses on leadership readiness, culture, and organisational capability building.
Bharatesh Suvarna
Retail strategist, consultant, author of Startup Diaries, and workshop facilitator working across retail, e-commerce, and entrepreneurship.
Gaggan Jain
FINAL STATEMENT
What We Aim to Build
An ecosystem where leaders are prepared, organisations are aligned, and students are future-ready.
Different audiences.
Different formats.
One belief.