Few people outside the nonprofit world had heard of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation until a couple of months ago when it became the focus of multiple news stories on sexual harassment and a toxic work environment. One of the wealthiest foundations in the country, it became ground zero for yet another incident of #MeToo. This one was different for me, because I am a survivor of what took place at the foundation and I helped ensure that the story was told, initially in the Chronicle of Philanthropy and then in Forbes and the New York Times.
After the toxic environment and harassment were exposed, my direct supervisor, Mari Ellen Loijens, and Daiva Natochy, the vice president for human resources, resigned. And on Wednesday, the foundation announced that Emmett Carson, the foundation’s chief executive, would be leaving after two law firms were hired to investigate the situation.
No matter how relieved I am by this resolution, nothing changes the fact that people who worked for an organization established to do good were so harmed by poor management. Instead of devoting every hour to working to better society, employees were too often hobbled by the challenges of a toxic workplace. Every nonprofit and board needs to examine its own environment to be sure its staff members work under conditions that allow them to focus on the group’s mission and do their best every day.
Rampant Bullying
I worked at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation for nearly three years, and from day one, I experienced inappropriate, hostile, and belittling behavior from my boss. This behavior was directed at me, people who reported to me, and other colleagues almost daily. The culture was toxic, and the CEO and board either knew about this behavior and did nothing or managed to miss what was happening right under their noses, as dozens of people left the organization over several years. Despite trying to rally other colleagues or just plain stand up to the bullying and toxicity, I eventually gave in and tried to keep my head down and do my job. That became impossible as my role forced me to engage with Loijens, who was the source of the problems as both an individual and the manager of a team.
As has been reported by the Chronicle, Loijens made derisive comments about the way people dressed, their physical appearance, and their professional skills.
I had worked in the legal field most of my life, and I had previously had difficult bosses and butted heads with colleagues. But never had I imagined that the kind of behavior I experienced at the Silicon Valley foundation was possible, particularly at a nonprofit. I wondered if it was an anomaly. Then I got another job at a major university and saw it happen again.
While the toxic situation I encountered at the university was not as extreme as my earlier experience, it was devastating to have it happen again. I turned to anti-anxiety medicine and took a leave of absence before being forced to leave the university after a year. It was only when my experience at Silicon Valley was finally exposed that I realized I had essentially been in an abusive relationship — and a classic reaction to leaving one abuser is to immediately enter into another bad relationship (the university job).
Echoing Concerns
Just as the article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy was about to be published, I became concerned. Would I be the only person going on the record? Who else would speak out?
In the end, I couldn’t believe the outpouring of support I got from former colleagues and people I had never met, who thanked me for being brave.
At the same time, I was stunned to learn how so many had experienced the same kind of abuse I had, in some cases treated even worse. It was even more disheartening to learn there were others, like me, who ended up again in an abusive work environment after leaving the Silicon Valley Community Foundation or another nonprofit, and some who also turned to medication to treat their pain.
As I processed my own experience, feeling it again like a fresh wound, it occurred to me that not only had my employer stolen three years of my professional life, but the foundation had essentially stolen from the public it existed to serve. My colleagues and I reflected on how much more we could have done for the community had we worked in a supportive and harassment-free environment.
Nonprofits exist to engage in public good on behalf of the communities they serve. They have donors who trust them to carry out an organization’s mission and who enjoy preferred status as a result of its legal structure. Philanthropy should want to be a positive example and set a higher standard, one that includes providing a work environment free of bullying and harassment.
No one goes to work in a nonprofit because they think it will make them rich or famous. I chose to work in philanthropy because I wanted to improve my community and make a positive difference. I never wanted to be a victim, and I never wanted to tell my story. But I am now stronger as a survivor who has added my voice to #MeToo.
Taking a Stand
What this experience has taught me is that philanthropy is not immune from controversy just because it exists to provide a public good. And I would hope that philanthropy would take a stronger stand against the type of behavior that took place at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Other than a handful of articles that have been written since the Chronicle story was published, there have been no editorials in any publications condemning what was clearly a systemic issue at the foundation.
It is important that philanthropic organizations not miss this moment to take a stand against harassment and hostile work environments. I’ve done my part. It’s their turn.
Rebecca Dupras was vice president of development at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. She now works as a lawyer.