In brief
Harley Finkelstein is a Canadian entrepreneur, lawyer, and business executive serving as the President of Shopify Inc., where he oversees the company's commercial teams, growth initiatives, and external affairs.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and raised in South Florida, United States, Finkelstein demonstrated early entrepreneurial drive by founding his first company at age 17 while studying at McGill University in Montreal. He later pursued advanced education at the University of Ottawa, earning both a law degree and an MBA, during which he co-founded the JD/MBA Student Society and the Canadian MBA Oath. Following his studies, Finkelstein practiced law and became an active angel investor, earning recognition as the Canadian Angel Investor of the Year in 2017.
Harley Finkelstein was born on November 8, 1983, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He grew up in a family of Jewish heritage, as the grandson of Holocaust survivors whose experiences profoundly shaped his values and commitment to philanthropy. His grandparents had immigrated to Canada from Hungary following the Holocaust and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, instilling in him a deep appreciation for resilience and opportunity.
Of Jewish heritage, Finkelstein has long embraced his faith as a core aspect of his identity, drawing from early family influences that shaped his values. He prioritizes work-life balance, applying an annual "requalification" practice not only to his professional responsibilities but also to his roles as a husband and father, ensuring ongoing alignment with family priorities. Born in 1983, Finkelstein turned 42 in November 2025.
Harley Finkelstein's philanthropic efforts are deeply influenced by his Jewish heritage, emphasizing support for community education, health innovation, and family-centered care.
Photographs

Hero photograph: Matthew Wiebe / Wikimedia Commons


