world Economic Forum lands in presidio.
Lauding his hometown as the birthplace of the Summer of Love, gay rights and environmental activism, EssEff native and Salesforce founder-CEO Marc
Benioff welcomed international guests at the recent launch of the World Economic Forum tech policy center in the Presidio.
Some folks are familiar with this nonprofit think tank, thanks to Davos, the Switzerland town where private jets land every January to unload global politicos (London Mayor Sadiq Khan), tech titans (Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg), and rock stars (Bono, natch) who attend the institute’s glitzy annual gathering.
But thanks to Benioff, a WEF trustee, this independent organization opened its second U.S. hub, complete with a day-long forum and opening party hosted by Benioff on March 23, at the Presidio Officers’ Club — a slightly more subdued scene than Davos, which once featured a “post-apocalyptic ski lodge party” created by designer Ken Fulk.
Guests savored an Arguello buffet and music by rock-jazz pianist Eric Lewis (a.k.a. Elew), a dynamic artist who counts both Barack Obama and Peter
Getty as fans. The forum is dedicated to improving the state of the world by tackling global issues — economic growth, energy, monetary systems, health care and the digital economy’s related technologies — known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a term coined by WEF founder Klaus Schwab.
As inaugural chairman for the center’s advisory board, Benioff spoke of technological breakthroughs — computing power, artificial intelligence, biotechnology — that affect individuals, businesses, industry and government.
“But our institutions, policies and regulations have not been able to keep up with the rapid pace of change,” he said. “We are entering uncharted territory. We don’t yet have a deep enough understanding of this revolution and how it will impact our future. And that’s why we’re here in San Francisco.” During a tour of the new center, S.F. forum head
Murat Sönmez agreed that the location offers prime access to leading local innovators.
“We accelerate access to insight and changing technology by making it easy for our members to understand strategic issues about a region, a government or a global issue like education,” he said. “We provide relevant data so they make informed decisions.”
As an example, Sonmez cited the issues currently swirling around artificial intelligence and robotics
“In the U.S., robots at work eliminate jobs,” he said, quickly swiping through a digital transformation map. “But in aging society like Japan, robots are a godsend.”
The center, set on Fort Winfield Scott overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, is housed in the former headquarters of the Coastal Artillery Corps. In spite of the forum’s mission, its office decor is decidedly low-tech. Except for snazzy tabletops that, with the push of a button, transform into standing-work desks.
“We’re known as the Davos people but we’re actually a community of communities,” continued Sonmez. “People call us a ‘think tank.’ But we are really a ‘do tank.’ ”
Bear hugs: Over on the Gold Coast, the Getty manse once again transformed into a kid-friendly carnival where well-dressed tots, and their parents, reveled in face-painting, cake walks and corn dogs served on silver platters at the 11th Snuggly Soiree. Founded by Dr. Richard Glogau and his wife, Pam Baj Glogau, in honor of their son, Gordon, the Mach 23 fete raised $260K for the Glogau Teddy Bear Rescue Fund that provides small comforts like meal vouchers, hotel rooms and travel expenses for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital’s patients and families. Among supporters: UCSF Chancellor Dr. Sam Hawgood and CEO Mark Laret; Dede Wilsey; Stephen and Elizabeth Revetria and their kids, Allesandra and Bernardo; Beth Townsend; Geoff and Hilary Newsom Callan; Salesforce.org’s Shanna Frati; Jennifer and Matthew Cook; Pamela and Ted Deikel; and new UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals President Dr. Michael Anderson.
Raina and Mike Sobel shared their hospital experience when their newborn daughter, Malia, was born with breathing difficulties and later diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
They described the emotional difficulties of dealing with a sick child while working with the medical team. Their story, and their now-healthy daughter, had a happy outcome.
“Everything else (housing, parking, non-insurance covered supplies) are real-life issues that raise anxiety and draw attention away from what’s most important: our children’s health,” said Raina Sobel. “The Glogau Teddy Bear Reduce fund fills a special need for so many families.”
Sunset ride: Former longtime newspaperman, Hearst Corp exec and EssEff native Fred Dal Broi recently celebrated his last rodeo during a retirement party hosted by his boss, Hearst Corp. Western Properties VP-GM Steve Hearst, at Original Joe’s.
Hearst and Dal Broi met years ago, working at the old Hearst-owned L.A. Herald-Examiner, and their paths and friendship continued to criss-cross through print production, real estate management and hunting trips.
Joined by his S.F. Hearst Corp. posse, Dal Broi was roasted and toasted in equal measure. But Brian Kenny made note of the breadth of knowledge Dal Broi imparted, especially about the restoratios Hearst Ranch and Wyntoon, the storied private family compound in Mount Shasta.
“I always approached making a decision about those properties, whether it was refurbishing the interior, exteriors, or gardens by asking myself, ‘What would W.R. and (architect) Julia Morgan do?’ ” explained Dal Broi.
But Steve Hearst, a great-grandson of publishing magnate and antiques collector William Randolph
Hearst, suggested a new motto. “When Fred asked that, I didn’t know how much it was going to cost,” he joked. “So word of advice, when you’re thinking about your budgets, please don’t think about what W.R. would do.”