Leadership

Six citizens leading the movement, each responsible for one of the disciplines this work requires.

Founder & Executive Director

Callum Rutherford

Callum founded Citizens Against DHMO in 2019 after a viral social-media thread documenting his discovery of the substance's presence in his children's bath water received 4.7 million views in 72 hours. A former senior policy analyst at a major environmental advocacy group, Callum has built the movement from a single Reddit post into a 47-chapter grassroots network. He holds an MA in Public Policy from a school he prefers not to name in advocacy materials.

“We are not anti-DHMO. We are anti-secrecy. Every citizen deserves to know what is in their water, their food, and their children's school cafeteria.”

Years in advocacy18
Chapters under direct supervision47
Public-records requests filed in 2025312
Hours of broadcast media in 202584
Personal DHMO intake (disclosed quarterly)Reduced 38%

Chief Science Officer

Lachlan Whitford

Lachlan directs the movement's research program and serves as principal author of our annual State of DHMO Disclosure report, now in its fourth edition. A trained environmental chemist with prior experience at two regional public-health authorities, he developed the DHMO Exposure Index methodology used by chapter leaders nationwide. Lachlan's published work spans peer-reviewed and citizen-science publications and is frequently cited in disclosure litigation.

“If we cannot measure the exposure, we cannot manage the risk. The first job of this organization is to make the measurement possible.”

Years in environmental chemistry16
Methodology version (DHMO Exposure Index)v3.1
Reports authored for the movement9
Litigation citations of his published work23
Public symposia delivered, 202514

Director of Awareness & Outreach

Darius Thornquist

Darius leads the movement's communications, social-media, and earned-media programs. A 12-year veteran of nonprofit communications, he previously directed digital strategy for two national health-advocacy organizations. Under his leadership, Citizens Against DHMO content has reached an estimated 180 million social impressions in 2025 and earned coverage in three major national publications.

“The job is not to scare people. The job is to give people the information they were never given. The fear, when it comes, is appropriate.”

Years in nonprofit comms12
2025 social impressions180M+
Earned media placements, 202547
Active platforms managed9
Avg post engagement rate4.7%

Director of Survivor Advocacy

Everett Kingsford

Everett oversees the movement's survivor-storytelling program, member-care services, and chapter-level support coordination. A former social worker with a decade of trauma-informed practice, he built the survivor-intake protocol now used by all 47 chapters. He is the first point of contact for citizens navigating the personal and social consequences of DHMO awareness.

“Coming to terms with this exposure is its own kind of work. We meet members wherever they are. The story is theirs to tell.”

Years in trauma-informed practice10
Survivor intakes processed, lifetime1,400+
Chapters supported47
Care coordinators trained, 202584
Referral partnerships established23