Alexander Gillis

Having struggled with learning to read through to grade seven, Alex is now shaping the future of global literacy as the Chief Operating Officer at Simbi. Alex was the Canadian representative on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Education in Emergencies Working Group to support remote and refugee learners through interventions made available by Simbi and Simbi Foundation. As the Entrepreneur in Residence at the National Angel Capital Organization, Alex has overseen more than $1 billion of investment to Canadian entrepreneurs through data-driven approaches. Alex was previously named Startup Canada’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year and has advised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the future of youth entrepreneurship education. Beyond his work, Alex enjoys sailing, traveling and pursuing his passion for typography.