executivedonor
Jim Balsillie
Former co-CEO of Research In Motion (BlackBerry)
Former chair and co-CEO, Research In Motion (BlackBerry) · Chair, Canadian Council of Innovators · Founder, Balsillie School of International Affairs
Background
Jim Balsillie is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist.
He joined Research In Motion (BlackBerry) as co-CEO in 1992 and resigned from that role on January 22, 2012.
He founded the Balsillie School of International Affairs at the University of Waterloo.
Key facts
- Former role at BlackBerry
- Former chair and co-chief executive officer of Research In Motion (BlackBerry)source
- Co-CEO start
- Joined Research In Motion as co-CEO with founder Mike Lazaridis in 1992source
- Co-CEO exit
- Resigned as co-CEO on January 22, 2012source
- Education
- BComm from Trinity College at the University of Toronto in 1984; MBA from Harvard Business School in 1989source
- Family foundation gift
- The Balsillie Family Foundation gave $4.5 million to four food banks in Ontario's Waterloo region in September 2026source
WYDE coverage of Jim Balsillie
Newsletter
States Just Took On SNAP's Bill, Fraud Topped $900 Million in a Week, and Philanthropy Wrote $1.2 Billion in Checks. Over 71,800 Meals.
Sep 26, 2026 · 7 min read
Food PolicyJim Balsillie's Family Foundation Gives $4.5 Million to Four Ontario Food Banks as Demand Climbs
Sep 22, 2026 · 2 min read
Sources
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