Marc Benioff's call for troops in SF leads tech investor Ron Conway to leave Salesforce Foundation board

Core Viewpoint - The resignation of Ron Conway from the Salesforce Foundation board follows controversial comments made by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff regarding federal troops in San Francisco, highlighting a potential misalignment of values within the company's leadership and its philanthropic efforts [2][4][5]. Group 1: Ron Conway's Resignation - Ron Conway, a prominent startup investor and Democratic donor, resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board, which he had been part of for over a decade [2][3]. - The Salesforce Foundation has contributed $250 million to public schools and education nonprofits, with $30 million announced recently [3]. Group 2: Marc Benioff's Comments - Marc Benioff suggested welcoming federal troops to San Francisco due to a perceived lack of police presence, which sparked significant backlash [4][5]. - Following the backlash, Benioff clarified that safety is primarily the responsibility of local leaders, indicating a potential retreat from his earlier stance [5]. Group 3: Political Context - Conway's departure reflects broader political tensions, as he has been a supporter of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who publicly opposed the idea of federal troops in San Francisco [7]. - The comments made by Benioff were amplified by figures like Elon Musk, who criticized the state of downtown San Francisco [5].