Last week, SVLG hosted our 2025 Annual Forum at Levi’s Stadium, convening several hundred industry leaders, policymakers, and community partners for a timely discussion on the innovation ecosystem and the future of California’s economy.
Jed York, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers and current chair of the SVLG Board of Directors, officially kicked off our program, emphasizing SVLG’s continued focus on strengthening regional competitiveness and advancing impactful policies that improve quality of life for Bay Area residents.
During the program, SVLG honored Jed’s extraordinary leadership on behalf of our region and our organization as he prepares to conclude his board chairmanship at the end of this calendar year.
The evening’s marquee conversation, “Where Leadership Meets Legacy,” was introduced by Sara Morales, SVP of People and Communities at Cisco. The segment featured NFL Hall of Famer, Super Bowl MVP and legendary 49ers QB Steve Young in dialogue with Zaileen Janmohamed, President and CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee for a powerful conversation around leadership, accountability and growth. Together, they explored how the Bay Area can leverage upcoming global events — including the 2026 Super Bowl and World Cup — to showcase its vibrant innovation ecosystem and a model of leadership that spans sports, business, and community impact.
Later, the “View from Sacramento” panel brought together Senator Josh Becker (SD-13), Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (AD-26), and Senator Dave Cortese (SD-15) to share perspectives on the policy landscape influencing technological innovation in California. Panelists discussed efforts to balance smart regulation with economic growth, underscoring the need for close collaboration between policymakers and technology leaders as emerging tools reshape the state’s economy. The conversation was moderated by Papia Gambelin, Managing Director of State and Local Government Affairs at United Airlines.
Finally, SVLG CEO Ahmad Thomas wove together some of the evening’s themes around meeting the moment. He noted that our region is facing a rare constellation of opportunities – from world-class sporting events that will vault the Bay Area to the center of the global stage, to being on the cutting-edge of the AI revolution, to a landmark gubernatorial election that will shape Sacramento’s policy agenda for years to come. He emphasized that SVLG’s new Future Forward agenda has positioned the organization to act like a 50-year-old startup as we harness the opportunity set before us to ensure that Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area remain the most competitive and the most innovative place on the planet.
Rounding out our evening’s program were remarks by Ziyang David Fan, SVLG’s new SVP of Tech & Innovation and the inaugural Executive Director of our Institute for California AI Policy (ICAP); Stacy Owen, SVLG Board Member and General Manager of NBC Bay Area and Telemundo 48 / 33; and SVLG’s Senior Advisor to the CEO Charles “Chappie” Jones closed out our program, reaffirming SVLG’s longstanding commitment to the region.
Each year, the Annual Forum serves as a milestone opportunity to examine the trends and policy shifts shaping the region’s economic vitality. SVLG extends its sincere thanks to the event sponsors and attendees for an engaging evening of discussion, connection, and networking. Special appreciation goes to host sponsor the San Francisco 49ers for their generous support.
Looking ahead to 2026, SVLG remains committed to advancing California’s leadership in innovative technologies — especially AI — while fostering long-term economic resilience, prosperity, and opportunity for the Bay Area and beyond.
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