The future of Silicon Valley and our innovation economy requires us to collectively address the real challenges facing our region. For 23 years, Carl Guardino has successfully served the employers of our valley as CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Following Carl’s decision to pass the baton to another leader, we’ve identified the traits we’re seeking in the person who will lead the next chapter of the organization and wanted to share the core attributes that will define the person we ask to serve as CEO:

1. Is this leader a natural collaborator?

Achieving great outcomes depends on bringing people together.

Under Guardino’s stewardship during the COVID-19 challenge, the Leadership Group has partnered with our 350 members, our public and private hospitals and raised $8 million for urgently needed medical equipment and supplies to protect health care professionals and patients. Historically, by bringing people together in a collaborative process, the Leadership Group has successfully advanced six local and regional transportation ballot measures that are generating more than $30 billion in local funding for vitally needed transit improvements.

2. Is inclusion instinctive for this leader?

Our next CEO will not simply seek to support increased diversity at member companies, but stand as a proactive, passionate champion for systemic changes at every level of industry that can open opportunities for those who do not have equitable access to our innovation economy.

The Leadership Group’s successful effort to bring together 19 community college presidents to create the “Community College to Career Initiative,” is one recent example of this commitment, which will only expand in the future. Nearly 77% of Bay Area community college students are people of color and 54% are female. Together, we can rebuild our region’s shrinking middle class while also adding the workforce diversity that fully reflects our communities.

3. Can this leader build community?

Our next CEO will represent one of America’s most influential and diverse policy advocacy organizations, a role that will position them to expand the aperture of who Silicon Valley prioritizes and serves as we advocate for a public policy agenda that will enhance and reinforce the region’s competitive advantages. Yet, too few Silicon Valley residents have access to the job opportunities and prosperity because they simply cannot afford to live here.

As our housing crisis deepens, the Leadership Group’s more than two decades long track record of successful advocacy for affordable housing must remain. The 300 affordable home developments achieved through grassroots and grass tops community building is a legacy we cannot lose.

4. Does this leader have a strong vision for the future of Silicon Valley?

No single style defines a great visionary — but you recognize one when you see one. There must be a vision for individual companies to play a role in solving the serious issues we face related to housing, transportation, education and equity in the pursuit of opportunity.

As a part of this effort, Guardino established the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation in 2002, an entity that has created our Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, Lam Research Hearts and Soles Run, and the Santa Run Silicon Valley, presented by Google. These community events have been supported generously by member companies and helped raise more than $12 million to support hundreds of thousands of the Valley’s neediest families to cope with the cost of housing and health care, nutrition, literacy, and hunger.

We’re encouraged by the extraordinary candidates identified for this critical leadership role and expect the next SVLG CEO will continue to serve as a shining example of how to get things done and represent our region in the brightest light possible.

Steve Milligan is the former CEO of Western Digital and serves as chair of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group board of directors. Kim Polese is chair of CrowdSmart and a member of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group board of directors.