Uber has faced intense criticism since a former employee, Susan Fowler, last month wrote in her blog about the sexual harassment she encountered and the lack of action by human resources for the year she worked there, as previously reported by PHRM. 

After Fowler’s public blog post, Mitch and Freada Kapor wrote an open letter for Uber’s investors and board noting they “have tried for years to work behind the scenes to exert a constructive influence on company culture.” But as early investors in 2010, the Kapors never did meet with CEO Travis Kalanick (they did meet with senior leaders) on two issues they have long advocated on--diversity and inclusion--via their Kapor Center for Social Impact. 

“We are speaking up now because we are disappointed and frustrated; we feel we have hit a dead end in trying to influence the company quietly from the inside,” the couple wrote. The Kapors also expressed disappointment that Uber did not seek company outsiders to lead an investigation, noting “this decision is yet another example of Uber’s continued unwillingness to be open, transparent, and direct.”