• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos says a 3-day workweek and more single-income households are on the way thanks to AI: ‘It’s going to be difficult to hire people’

2

Disney offered a 13-year-old $2 million to sing in ‘The Lion King.’ His mom took $100K plus royalties instead. He’s still getting paid 34 years later

3

Palantir’s billionaire CEO says only two kinds of people will succeed in the AI era: trade workers—‘or you’re neurodivergent’

1

Jeff Bezos says a 3-day workweek and more single-income households are on the way thanks to AI: ‘It’s going to be difficult to hire people’

2

Disney offered a 13-year-old $2 million to sing in ‘The Lion King.’ His mom took $100K plus royalties instead. He’s still getting paid 34 years later

3

Palantir’s billionaire CEO says only two kinds of people will succeed in the AI era: trade workers—‘or you’re neurodivergent’
Leadership

Silicon Valley Community Foundation Chief Ousted Over Harassment Allegations

By
Brittany Shoot
Brittany Shoot
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Brittany Shoot
Brittany Shoot
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 27, 2018, 6:13 PM ET
aras Griffin—Getty Images
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the world’s largest community foundation, has been pushed out following investigations into allegations of bullying and harassment in the workplace.

CEO Emmett Carson has been removed from his role of over a decade for fostering a toxic work environment that included widespread use of racial and sexual comments, berating and bullying tactics, and for his role in failing to provide a safe and inclusive workplace.

In recent months, the foundation has been plagued by resignation of multiple executives, including a top fundraiser as well as the SVCF’s chief of human resources and its vice president of talent, recruitment and culture.

As of the end of 2017, its tenth year in operation, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation oversaw $13.5 billion in assets. Since 2007, the foundation has awarded more than $5.6 billion in grants to groups locally and around the globe.

Prominent donors include Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, GoPro founders Nicholas and Jill Woodman, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, physician Priscilla Chan.

Attorneys from the law firm of Boies Schiller Flexner, hired by the foundation’s board as independent counsel to oversee the investigation, said they interviewed 82 people. Based on those interviews, the final report noted numerous issues with the workplace environment at the SVCF. “These included sexual, racial, crude, and otherwise inappropriate remarks and conduct that became ‘normalized’ within certain divisions, as well as public shaming and bullying behavior exhibited at times by certain former SVCF executives,” the report states.

Silicon Valley investor Greg Avis, who has been acting as SVCF’s CEO since Carson was placed on administrative leave in April, will continue as interim chief executive until a replacement is found.

About the Author
By Brittany Shoot
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Leadership


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Leadership


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.