Former Sierra Club Foundation director sues over alleged internal racism

Lawsuit alleges wrongful termination and lack of diversity support at environmental group

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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A former employee of the Sierra Club Foundation, Pedro da Silva, has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit alleging the organization's commitments to racial justice did not extend internally. Da Silva, who is Black, claims he was fired in retaliation for repeatedly expressing dissatisfaction with the organization's discrimination and lack of diversity, despite the Sierra Club's public statements about the importance of diversity.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights the challenges that Black leaders can face in progressive nonprofit organizations, even as those groups publicly emphasize the importance of racial justice and diversity. It also comes amid broader concerns that the backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives could lead to increased turnover of Black nonprofit staff just as many have entered positions of power.

The details

Da Silva joined the Sierra Club Foundation in 2023 to lead its 'Shifting Trillions' program, which aimed to move major banks' investments away from the fossil fuel industry. However, he alleges that the foundation's commitments to racial justice did not extend internally. Da Silva claims that normal workplace interactions were twisted into an unfair harassment complaint that leaned on racist stereotypes. He was fired, which he took as retaliation for his dissatisfaction with the organization's discrimination and lack of diversity.

  • In May 2023, Pedro da Silva joined the Sierra Club Foundation.
  • In late January 2025, da Silva was informed he was under investigation for harassment and hostility.

The players

Pedro da Silva

A 29-year-old former employee of the Sierra Club Foundation who filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the organization.

Sierra Club Foundation

The charitable arm of the Sierra Club, a prominent environmental nonprofit organization.

Dan Chu

The executive director of the Sierra Club Foundation.

Ben Jealous

The former executive director of the Sierra Club, who was ousted last August after staff accusations of harassment and bullying, which he considers "racial retaliation."

Michael Leach

The first-ever White House chief diversity officer under President Joe Biden.

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What they’re saying

“That's what hurts movements so much. Especially organizations like these, they publish these statements about diversity being a strength and then they make it impossible for diverse leaders to survive.”

— Pedro da Silva (Associated Press)

“When equity is woven into leadership development, decision making and accountability, it's less vulnerable to political cycles. We have to start investing more in trust, not just externally, but internally.”

— Michael Leach, First-ever White House chief diversity officer under President Joe Biden (Associated Press)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges that Black leaders face in progressive nonprofit organizations, even as those groups publicly emphasize the importance of racial justice and diversity. It underscores the need for these organizations to truly invest in equity and inclusion, not just externally but also within their own structures and decision-making processes.