movement encompasses a diversity of
voices, especially women and people
of color. As a co-founder of the All We
Can Save Project, she has pulled chairs
to the table, reached more voices and
made sure everyone has a role to play
in fi ghting climate change. And her
scientifi c research has also proved that
protecting our oceans and coral reefs
is a pivotal piece of the climate crisis
puzzle.
Ayana’s research, voice and impact
have already made waves in the climate
movement. She is a leader whose
boundless potential has given me and
so many others hope for an equitable,
healthier and brighter future.McCarthy is the White House
national climate adviser and a former
Environmental Protection Agency
administratorParkerPoling43 • ELECTING THE
GOP’S NEW CLASSBY PATRICK MCHENRYParker Poling is fearless about
speaking her mind, a characteristic
in short supply in Washington, D.C.
I’ve experienced and witnessed
it in meetings in the offi ce of
the Speaker of the House with
the entirety of congressional
leadership.
Parker—who worked as my
chief of staff for over a decade
before serving as the executive
director of the National Repub-
lican Congressional Committee
(NRCC) for two years, starting in
2019—always displays a clarity
of mission, something that has
suited her well throughout her
career. Whether crafting a path to
victory on a challenging vote in the
House or strategizing how to elect
more female GOP candidates while
running the NRCC, she always sets
goals and clear plans to achieve
them. Most important in this line
of work, Parker is the defi nition of
a confi dent leader. She empowers
those around her to succeed and
is not afraid if they outshine her.
For proof, look no further than how
House Republicans performed
in the 2020 election: 14 seats
fl ipped, 18 new female Represen-
tatives elected and—most notably
considering her perfectionist ten-
dencies—zero incumbents lost.McHenry is a Republican
Congressman from North CarolinaPOLING: ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXIS FRANKLIN FOR TIMEPHOTOGRAPH BY LANDON SPEERS