Former Sierra Club Foundation Director Files Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Over Alleged Internal Racism
A former director at the Sierra Club Foundation has initiated legal proceedings against the prominent environmental nonprofit, claiming that his dismissal constituted retaliation for speaking out against racial discrimination within the organisation. Pedro da Silva, who led the foundation's "Shifting Trillions" green energy financing initiative, alleges that his concerns about diversity were met with a contrived harassment complaint that relied on racist stereotypes.
Allegations of Discrimination Amid Public Commitments to Justice
The lawsuit, filed in California state court, emerges during a period of significant internal turbulence for one of America's oldest environmental organisations. Da Silva joined the Sierra Club Foundation in May 2023, taking a substantial pay reduction to lead what was promoted as a flagship program aimed at redirecting trillions in banking investments from fossil fuels toward climate solutions.
This appointment coincided with the organisation's public reckoning following George Floyd's murder, during which the Sierra Club apologised for founder John Muir's racist views and pledged to prioritise environmental justice and diverse hiring. However, da Silva contends these commitments failed to materialise internally, creating what he describes as an impossible environment for leaders of colour.
"That's what hurts movements so much," da Silva told the Associated Press. "Especially organisations like these, they publish these statements about diversity being a strength and then they make it impossible for diverse leaders to survive."
A Pattern of Alleged Retaliation and Broken Promises
According to legal documents, da Silva's relationship with foundation leadership deteriorated after he began raising specific concerns about racial equity. He highlighted the absence of Black women on the foundation's board, objected to suggestions that the Fearless Fund lawsuit should deter investment with Black-led asset managers, and questioned hiring decisions he believed disadvantaged qualified Black candidates.
The situation escalated dramatically during a trip to Monterey, California, where da Silva alleges executive director Dan Chu confided that he was helping "drum up harassment complaints" against then-Sierra Club executive director Ben Jealous—the organisation's first Black leader, who was ousted last August amid similar allegations of racial retaliation.
Da Silva claims that after expressing concern that Jealous had been "hired as a Black man who would be set up to fail," his own position became increasingly precarious. Chu reportedly shortened planning timelines, made dismissive remarks about Black employees, and asked da Silva to identify board members who could assume aspects of his role.
The Harassment Investigation and Sector-Wide Implications
In late January 2025, da Silva was informed he was under investigation for alleged harassment and hostile behaviour. The foundation's complaints centred on workplace interactions including recommending novels by Octavia Butler, sharing music by Etta James and Outkast, sending after-hours texts, and taking a work walk through a park with a subordinate.
Da Silva views these allegations as weaponised stereotypes about predatory Black men, designed to force his departure after he challenged the organisation's internal practices. A Sierra Club Foundation spokesperson stated the dismissal was "carefully considered" and that da Silva's claims are "antithetical to our values and policies and are completely without merit."
This lawsuit arrives amid broader concerns within the philanthropic sector about the sustainability of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives following political backlash. Research indicates many organisations have retreated from racial justice commitments in recent years, creating what experts describe as a "hollow prize" for leaders of colour who achieve positions of authority without adequate support.
Broader Sector Challenges for Leaders of Colour
Michael Leach, the first White House chief diversity officer under President Joe Biden, emphasised that "when equity is woven into leadership development, decision making and accountability, it's less vulnerable to political cycles." He advocates for greater internal investment in trust-building within organisations.
Meanwhile, Susan Taylor Batten, president of ABFE (a membership group for Black philanthropy professionals), has expressed concern about potential exits among Black leaders in the field. Her organisation's research reveals the psychological toll on professionals constantly negotiating their identity while balancing mission objectives against financial sustainability.
Consultant Chanda Causer, who coaches predominantly women leaders of colour, observes that many feel heightened pressure to "get it right" as the first person of their identity in leadership roles. She emphasises that when funders support people of colour in leadership positions for the first time, they bear a fiduciary responsibility to provide proper oversight and support mechanisms.
The case highlights ongoing tensions within progressive organisations that have made public commitments to racial justice while allegedly failing to address internal inequities. As legal proceedings advance, the outcome may influence how environmental and philanthropic institutions approach diversity initiatives and internal accountability mechanisms.
