Recently, a number of former RELEVANT Media Group employees have come forward to share troublesome details of their experiences while working under the leadership of CEO Cameron Strang. This includes accounts ranging from insensitivity to the needs of people of color and women, emotionally volatile behavior, impropriety in workplace relationships, and a manipulative, authoritarian leadership style.

While our individual experiences vary, the signers of this statement wholly confirm that during our respective tenures we encountered an unhealthy work environment that was offensive, intimidating and, at times, abusive. We agree that Cameron Strang’s leadership is the primary source of an ongoing, unhealthy workplace environment, dating back to RELEVANT’s founding in 2001. Our solidarity serves to stand by those who have shared their stories and demonstrate the scale and long history of these harmful issues.

We acknowledge that Cameron has expressed his intention to seek out counseling and accountability, and has apologized in his recent public statement. These are important first steps for restoration and reconciliation for him, for RELEVANT and for all of the employees who have been wounded.

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SIGNATURES

Daniel Ariza, Designer, (2001-2003)
Adrian Santos, Marketing Manager (2002-2003)
Aaron Martin, Designer (2003-2004)
Erika (Larson) Hueneke, Associate Editor (2003-2004)
Azuree (Norman) Wiitala, Ad Traffic Co-ordinator (2004-2006)
Melissa (Smith) Santiago, Ad Sales Rep (2006-2007)
Chris Stephens, Sales Manager (2006-2008)
Derek Roth, Marketing Director (2006-2008)
Adam Smith, Editorial Director (2006 - 2008)
Alastair Sterne, Creative Director (2006-2008)
Erin McKeeby, Marketing Intern & Marketing Coordinator (2006-2007)
Alecia Stephens, Editorial Assistant (2007)
Ryan Kelly, Account Executive (2007 - 2008)
Elizabeth Sloan, Associate Editor (2007-2008)
Tim Dikun, Digital Media Manager (2007-2010)
Josh Lujan Loveless, Senior Editor (2008-2011)
Theresa Dobritch, Executive Assistant (2008-2012)
Joanne Garcia, Sales & Finance Manager (2009)
Wes Jakacki, Marketing Intern (2009)
Justin Mezzell, Designer (2009-2011)
Tanya Elshahawi, Digital Design Director (2011-2012)
Ryan Hamm, Managing Editor (2009-2012)
Jesse Penico, Designer (2009-2011)
David Barratt, Web Developer & Digital Development Director (2010-2012)
Ashante Greenlee, Digital Content Editor (2011-2012)
Renée Gabrielle Tooley, Designer/Junior Art Director, (2010-2011, 2016)
Steven Linn, Digital Development Director (2012-2016)
Laura Studarus, Staff Writer (2013)
Dargan Thompson, Associate Editor (2013-2016)
Jeremiah Dunlap, Podcast Producer (2015-2016)
Lindsey Staton, Editorial Coordinator, (2014-2016)
Doug Jackson, Videographer (2015-2016)
Tiffanie Brunson, Social Media Coordinator (2015-2016)
Rebecca Marie Jo Flores, Managing Editor (2016-2017)
Chelsea Steele, Content Producer (2016-2017)
Kathy Pierre, Production Editor (2016-2018)
Alyssa Carroll, Executive Assistant to Cameron Strang (2016)
Mark Jackson, Production Manager (2017-2018)
Andre Henry, Managing Editor (2017-2018)
Nathan Grubbs, Director of Visual Media (2017-2018)
Alexa Mendez, Designer (2017-2018)
Lesley Crews, Social Media Coordinator (2017-2018)
John Butler, Director of Visual Media (2018)
Tyler Daswick, Senior Writer (2017-2019)