I'm all for Steemit, Inc. team members receiving rewards. I think if my feeling were otherwise, I wouldn't have too much confidence in this whole crypto and social media platform. While a conflict of interest may exist here, said conflict isn't proof that impropriety is occurring.

Example: I live in an area where a shipping company recently put up a distribution center. The property they built on was formerly an abandoned industrial lot that was used as a trash dump by passers-by and as a toilet for the local homeless population. The developer, who had connections to city hall, came in, purchased the property, renovated it, and built the distribution center with their own money and at their own risk. Now it's a nice looking building (for a building used by the trucking industry that is) with a landscaped facade and productive things happening there.
People in my area were up in arms because only a few permanent jobs were created and the above-mentioned connections with city hall. My question for them is: what crime did they commit here? They took a large acreage blighted property and turned it into something nice looking and productive. Things are better now because of it. That's all anyone can see or prove is happening. The city even gets the benefit of higher tax roles on the improved property and the commercial activity that the site generates.

In summary, this conflict of interest does not prove any impropriety occurred. It's just something to watch out for, and I'm sure the Steemit and Steem communities will let you guys know if they think you're stepping out of line (as if that would be something new ;)). I have no problem holding people accountable for their actions, but I often do have a problem holding them accountable for what they might do, but aren't doing.