Journalist-in-residence at Tarbell Fellowship. Previously Head of Communications at the Centre for Effective Altruism; News Editor at The Economist; journalist and growth manager at Protocol; journalist at Finimize.
The definition of “controversial” is “giving rise or likely to give rise to controversy or public disagreement”. The definition of “controversy” is “prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion”. This unusually active thread is, quite clearly, an example of “prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion”.
I'm so sorry to read this Frances. What you've gone through is unimaginably awful, and I'm in awe of your bravery at posting this.
I don't particularly have a desire to get into a debate with anyone about this, but IMO the behavior from senior leadership you outlined in this post ought to, in my opinion, count as behavior that should lead to resignations (more than have currently occurred).
(Disclosure: I used to work at CEA.)