Sequoia COO Resigns After VC Firm Failed To Address Islamophobia
Sequoia Capital’s chief operating officer, Sumaiya Balbale, stepped down from her role after partner Shaun Maguire made comments she considered Islamophobic, the Financial Times reports. In July, Maguire posted comments on X about New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, stating he “comes from a culture that lies about everything. It’s literally a virtue to lie if it advances his Islamist agenda.”
Maguire later said that his critique was targeted only at Islamism (the political ideology) rather than the whole Muslim population.
Sumaiya Balbale leaves Sequoia Capital
Balbale, who is a practising Muslim, resigned after five years at the company in August. Her decision to leave was spurred by Maguire’s comments on social media, as per three people with knowledge of the matter. The people also said she complained to other senior partners at the firm, who did not take action against Maguire, stating that he was exercising his right to free speech.
Balbale’s departure has left staff and portfolio companies anxious, the people said. Balbale was well considered internally and by the start-ups she worked with as an experienced operating executive, according to the Financial Times.
 1,000 founders demand Sequoia take a stand
Maguire’s remarks have triggered widespread backlash in the tech community. More than 1,000 founders and executives have signed an open letter urging Sequoia to publicly denounce Islamophobia and clarify its stance on hate speech.
The letter, which includes 1,179 signatories representing 1,094 companies, calls on Sequoia to demonstrate that such rhetoric has no place in its network. Notable signatories include Hosam Arab, CEO and co-founder of Tabby; Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, CEO and co-founder of Tamara; and Husayn Kassai, founder and CEO of Quench.ai.
Despite mounting pressure, Sequoia has declined to issue a public statement. Managing Partner Roelof Botha said the firm’s official policy is “institutional neutrality,” a stance that permits employees to hold and express their individual political convictions freely, Forbes reports.
Image: Maria del Rio for The Wall Street Journal
