The Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) recently hosted our 2024 Annual Forum at Levi’s Stadium, bringing together hundreds of leaders from the tech industry, government, and community organizations. The event, presented by Amazon, focused on innovation, collaboration, and regional competitiveness, in turn fostering dialogue about the future of Silicon Valley and California.
The event featured several prominent public sector leaders from across Silicon Valley and the broader Bay Area. Following welcome remarks from Jed York, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers and Chairman of the SVLG Board of Directors, an early program highlight included a fireside chat between San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie and SVLG CEO Ahmad Thomas about Bay Area innovation.
Lurie articulated his bold vision for addressing San Francisco’s pressing challenges, outlining innovative strategies to foster economic growth while enhancing the city’s livability. The discussion delved into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in driving economic recovery and explored promising avenues for public-private collaboration. Notably, they examined how upcoming major sporting events organized by the Bay Area Host Committee, including Super Bowl LX and the World Cup, could be leveraged to showcase our broader region’s Bay Area’s innovation and resilience on the global stage.
SVLG CEO Ahmad Thomas and San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie
Next in the program, Senator Dave Cortese (SD-15) and Assemblymember Patrick Aherns (AD-26) provided valuable insights from their policy work in Sacramento. Senator Cortese focused on how legislation can successfully balance technological innovation and environmental sustainability to create jobs and bolster the economy for Bay Area residents. Assemblymember Aherns, incoming Co-Chair of the Legislative Technology & Innovation Caucus, spoke about some of the legislative priorities of the Caucus as its members seek to ensure that California remains the global leader in technology and innovation. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration between policymakers and industry leaders in shaping California’s future, work that SVLG has helped facilitate through initiatives like I-CAP (SVLG’s Institute for California AI Policy).
Nutanix’s Tarken Maner, Honorable Dave Cortese, and Ahmad Thomas.
Rounding out the program, we also heard from notable private sector executives, including an innovation spotlight with Marc Winterhoff, Chief Operating Officer of Lucid Motors,who spoke about the company’s continued innovations in zero-emissions technology and efficiency. Event attendees had the opportunity to check out prototypes of the brand-new, all-electric Lucid Gravity SUV, which features an impressive EPA-estimated range of up to 450 miles. Additional remarks were delivered by SVLG Board Members Sam Cobbs, CEO of Tipping Point Community, and Tarken Maner, Chief Commercial Officer at Nutanix, as well as Merline Santil, CEO, Tallyoff, and Co-Founder of Black Women on Boards.
Assemblymember Patrick Aherns (AD-26)
The evening concluded with a panel moderated by SVLG SVP of Tech and Innovation Peter Leroe-Muñoz on the recent election and its implications for Silicon Valley. POLITICO’s Dustin Gardiner, KQED’s Guy Marzorati, and SJSU’s Melissa Jackson examined how ballot measures and legislative actions have influenced the state’s approach to emerging technologies, data privacy, and workforce development.
SVLG SVP of Tech and Innovation Peter Leroe-Muñoz, SJSU’s Melissa Jackson, KQED’s Guy Marzorati, and POLITICO’s Dustin Gardiner.
Throughout the forum, three key themes emerged:
- Leadership: The success of Silicon Valley’s innovation economy depends on thoughtful stewardship across public and private sectors.
- Change: The ability to thrive in times of technological and political evolution requires flexibility and creativity – with AI as a powerful example of how businesses and communities are evolving rapidly around transformative technology.
- Collaboration: Cross-sector partnerships between industry leaders and policymakers are essential to chart the path forward for Silicon Valley and California alike.
Merline Santil, CEO, Tallyoff, and Co-Founder of Black Women on Boards
SVLG extends its gratitude to all attendees and to our sponsors, including Thought Leader sponsor Amazon, Innovator Sponsors Bank of America and Southwest, Accelerator Sponsor Lucid Motors, and our host sponsor the San Francisco 49ers for supporting this milestone event, which plays a vital role in shaping strategies for regional competitiveness and addressing the evolving needs of Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem.
Marc Winterhoff, Chief Operating Officer of Lucid Motors
As we set the stage for 2025, SVLG remains committed to building the most influential business group advocating for the most influential economic region on the planet. Together with our partners, we are positioned to navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, ensuring a more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous future for the Bay Area and beyond.
Sam Cobbs, CEO of Tipping Point Community
