Vuori Chief Marketing Officer Karen Riley-Grant Toxic Leadership and Unprofessional Behavior Internet

I worked at Vuori for many years, and while there are aspects of the organization I appreciate, I feel compelled to share my experience with the Chief Marketing Officer, Karen Riley-Grant whose behavior has created a deeply toxic and hostile work environment. This is not a decision I take lightly, as I value professionalism, but the ongoing issues demand attention for the sake of the company’s reputation and employee well-being.

The CMO frequently engages in unprofessional conduct, including speaking disparagingly about colleagues in private conversations. On multiple occasions, she has shared derogatory remarks about my peers with me, criticizing their work ethic, competence, and even personal attributes. This gossip-driven approach fosters distrust and undermines team cohesion. More alarmingly, I’ve been informed by credible colleagues that the CMO has made similarly negative and defamatory comments about me behind my back, questioning my performance and loyalty. This pattern of duplicity has left me feeling targeted and betrayed, creating an atmosphere of fear and retaliation where employees hesitate to speak up.

Most concerning is the CMO’s blatant disrespect toward the CEO. In several instances, she has openly criticized the CEO’s leadership style, strategic decisions, and vision for the company, often in a mocking tone. These comments, made in my presence, not only erode respect for senior leadership but also signal a troubling lack of professionalism within the executive team. For a company striving to maintain a positive public image, such behavior from a senior leader is unacceptable and risks reputational damage.

This toxic leadership has led to low morale, high stress, and a pervasive sense of insecurity within the creative, e-commerce, and marketing department. Talented employees are disengaged and stressed and I fear the company is at risk of losing valuable talent due to this unchecked behavior. 

I urge the company to do something about this, but due to fear those who report into her will defend her or stick up for her. Her behavior behind closed doors in confidence of those she trusts constitute a  violation of workplace ethics and threaten the company’s values.