Jim Estill

Jim Estill is owner and CEO of Danby Appliances, a company he bought after growing his start up venture from zero to $2Billion in sales. He has invested in, advised and mentored over 150 technology businesses. He was a co-founding Board Member of Blackberry.

His involvement with refugees started in 2015 (well earlier if you count Ugandan refugees sharing his family home) when he sponsored 50 Syrian refugee families to come to Canada. He has expanded to refugees from other countries including Afghanistan, Venezuela, Congo, Eritrea. He continues to sponsor and resettle about 50 families per year. 

He started Circle Home furniture bank that provides all the furniture and housewares needed to set up a household. These are provided not only to refugees but others in need like Ukrainians (they are not technically refugees), referrals from Salvation Army, Women in Crisis, Hope House etc.

He has received EY Entrepreneur of the Year – Ontario, Order of Ontario, Order of Canada, King Charles Coronation Medal and honorary degrees from the University of Guelph, University of Waterloo and Humber College.