I've been in a similar situation. Very well liked and popular at the company, including with the founders. Often gets praised in public and is the go to person

I've been in a similar situation. Very well liked and popular at the company, including with the founders. Often gets praised in public and is the go to person from many employees when they want advice or just to gripe. Saw somethings at the company that I thought weren't good, and most of the employees complained about to me as well. I thought I had some influence with the powers that be, and so did many of the other folks (e.g. I was encouraged to speak up because I had influence). So I did, quietly and privately at first, and a little louder as time went on. Everything I did was completely ineffective. I learned that public praise and apparent influence is very superficial, and evaporates when it comes to anything deep rooted.