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Meet the ABA's newest leadership candidates

By Amanda Robert

June 1, 2024, 12:30 am CDT

After the ABA Annual Meeting in August, the association’s newly nominated officers and members of the Board of Governors will begin their terms in office. We’ve asked these nominees the same four questions in the lead-up to the meeting:

• What positive experiences have you had with the ABA?

• What would you like to accomplish during your term?

• What is something not a lot of other ABA members know about you?

• Why would you encourage other lawyers to join the association?

Their responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Jonathan Cole

Chair-Elect of the House of Delegates

Shareholder, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz

Nashville, Tennessee

Positive experiences with the ABA: “There are really too many to count. I got started in the ABA over 25 years ago when I attended my first Young Lawyers Division meeting in Milwaukee. Those meetings were known as Affiliate Outreach Project conferences then; they featured all the state and local young lawyer affiliates presenting their best public service and member service initiatives. I also really enjoyed getting to know the outstanding young lawyers from around the country. I have been inspired from that time that the ABA is the place where the profession gathers to advocate and make a difference; it is the place where we find the best ideas around the country and promote their use far and wide. I was honored to serve in leadership roles in the Young Lawyers Division, culminating in my term as chair. Every year I was involved in the Young Lawyers Division, we raised the level of debate and the importance of service. … Needless to say, my time in the ABA has made practicing law and my life as a whole so much richer and enjoyable. I have loved making some very deep friendships along the way and working together with colleagues around the country to strengthen our profession and enable us to serve our fellow citizens even more effectively.”

Plans for term: “The House of Delegates already does great work in considering the policy of our association and the profession. I would like for us to demonstrate how the work of the House matters to the average American lawyer and the communities we seek to serve. The House is the one place where everyone can be heard. It doesn’t matter if you just passed the bar or have served in the ABA for decades. … It is the one place where there are lawyers representing every group of attorneys, whether those who work in the office towers in our largest cities or have a solo shop on the town square in our smallest towns. This is the place where those representing the government and those representing the accused come together. It’s for the transactional lawyer and those who stand up in court. Every American lawyer has representation in our House. We can and should do a better job of publicizing the decisions that have already been made and those that we are considering. What happens in the House matters, and we need to show how that is true to all the members of the profession across our great country.”

Something most members don’t know: “I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to attend Montgomery Bell Academy, an all-boys high school, which was founded right after the Civil War. The movie Dead Poets Society was written by a fellow alumnus based on his experiences there studying under a unique teacher who shared many of the same teaching methods as [the character] portrayed by Robin Williams.”

Reason to join: “The ABA is the place where things are happening. While we cannot predict what the world is going to look like next month, much less next year, we do know that the ABA is the place where lawyers are gathering to determine what needs to be done to protect the rule of law, our democracy and a fair and independent judiciary. If any of those concepts matter, which I expect they do to every lawyer, this is the place where you can have a say about those issues, work on projects which protect them and be part of the conversation about what they will be like in the years to come.”

Thomas H. Prol

District 3

Member, Sills Cummis & Gross

Newark, New Jersey

Positive experiences with the ABA: “The ABA is a powerful leader on social justice and equality issues, giving a voice to the voiceless for communities that have historically been ignored and excluded. Working with other lawyers and policy advocates over the years to advance the ABA’s efforts and contribute to the greater good has been profoundly meaningful and inspiring.”

Plans for term: “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board of Governors to ensure the continuing viability and effectiveness of the ABA as well as engaging substantively in the ongoing strategic growth development process and vision of tomorrow’s ABA.”

Something most members don’t know: “I have a Master of Public Health degree and served in the Peace Corps in Nepal from 1994-1996, teaching sanitation and health in the region below Mount Everest.”

Reason to join: “Membership in the ABA has made me a more thoughtful and effective lawyer. The ABA’s legal education programming as well as the opportunities to meet, interact and deliberate legal and policy matters with colleagues has been personally and professionally enriching.”

Thomas C. Grella

District 5

Shareholder, McGuire Wood & Bissette

Asheville, North Carolina

Positive experiences with the ABA: “I have been involved in the ABA since I was a young lawyer. Through active participation in the Young Lawyers Division and then the Law Practice Division, I have become a leader in the field of law practice management. More importantly, however, through involvement in both, I have gained some of my closest friends in life.”

Plans for term: “Because of many changes in the world, and how lawyers work, communicate and educate themselves, the ABA is experiencing challenges regarding its standing as the voice of the profession as well as the main resource for both substantive and administrative law practice. I would like my work on the Board of Governors to be a help, and not a hinderance, to finding long term and effective solutions that sustain the ABA as the premier national voice and legal profession resource.”

Something most members don’t know: “I have taken a total of 11 cooking classes in Italy, all but two of which were in a different region of the 20 regions of Italy from the others.”

Reason to join: “I would encourage lawyers and other legal professionals to join because there is great value in membership. The value I have found, others can find as well: value in the vast resources available through membership, both substantive as well as all of the resources to help in the business of the practice of law, [including] management, marketing, finance and technology; value in connection with other lawyers from all over the country facing the same tough issues about both substantive practice and the business of practice; and value in working with other members to collaboratively influence not only the profession but the public in positive ways not possible on either a local or state level. [This is] all possible, even to a lawyer from a relatively small firm in a small western North Carolina town.”

Sheena Hamilton

District 9

City Counselor, City of St. Louis

St. Louis

Positive experiences with the ABA: “The ABA has afforded me opportunities to hone my leadership style and build lasting friendships. I am convinced that if you are able to lead lawyers, you are able to lead anyone. Nearly a decade ago, I had the opportunity to serve as co-chair of a host committee for an ABA conference held in St. Louis, where I live and work. The conference introduced many St. Louis lawyers to the ABA for the first time. It presented me with the occasion to partner with local, state and national entities to put on a meaningful conference that grew law practices, relationships and social awareness. The first time I served on the Board of Governors, I delved deep into the concept of ‘fiduciary duty’ and service to not just a particular subset of the whole, but the American Bar Association, the entity. I worked on the Finance Committee for a full three years, chaired the Ethics Review Committee and served on both the Expense Management and [Section, Division and Forum] Working Groups. Following that Board service, I became the city counselor for the City of St. Louis. I am not sure whether I would have been offered the position without the beneficial experience of leading a national organization at one of its highest levels. I am sure that the beneficial experience informed and shaped my leadership for my city. Through these and other interactions in the ABA, I have built what I expect to be lifelong friendships with a few extraordinary people; good people; people with whom I’ve shared struggles and victories.”

Plans for term: “I am focused on membership retention and non-dues revenue. The ABA recruits well, and it has some of the most dynamic leaders in the world within its membership. If ABA leaders and staff are able to find ways to keep those dynamic leaders engaged and fund them, the association will continue to improve our profession and our communities.”

Something most members don’t know: “Before going to law school, I was a court runner (when filings were still carbon-copied) for a small, 12 attorney law firm; a legal secretary when Dictaphones and client intake dominated the role; and a paralegal to the corporate secretary at American Airlines.”

Reason to join: “The practice of law is competitive and adversarial by nature. The ABA, though, gives lawyers who would otherwise be competitors or adversaries opportunities to team up and create something bigger than themselves to benefit the profession as a whole. Many lawyers go through an entire career focused on developing themselves, which is important, and maybe a mentee or two, which is also meaningful. However, the ABA provides a national stage from which one might affect the broader practice of law through servant leadership. Whether you put on a Continuing Legal Education [program] that teaches newer lawyers tips; advocate for a piece of legislation that helps maintain an independent judiciary; provide free legal answers to veterans; volunteer at the border or assist with management of the finance for an organization that does all those things at a high level, your efforts are multiplied by the platform that is the ABA. You also have the opportunity to learn from the best through world-class Continuing Legal Education programming; engage in business development at the feet of Fortune 100 companies; push forward government law practice in partnership with seasoned public servants; and serve with the cream of the crop. … The ABA is what you make of it and take from it. It could help you build the foundation for a meaningful career, enhance an already rewarding practice or create a legacy of service and friendship.”

Anna M. Romanskaya

District 14

Partner, Stark & D’Ambrosio

San Diego

Positive experiences with the ABA: “The highlight of my ABA journey was the opportunity to chair the Young Lawyers Division in 2016-2017. I had the incredible experience of representing the most vibrant division of the association and developing impactful initiatives focusing on public service, business development in the practice of law and the diverse growth of the profession. I was able to visit other bar associations, both nationally and internationally, and learn from and share with other bar leaders ways to collaborate and enhance the profession.”

Plans for term: “I love the strategic planning process, and I look forward to working with my fellow board members and ABA leaders on implementing the association’s new strategic plan. The ABA is at a pivotal point, and I am excited to have a seat at the table and be part of the conversation determining the inevitable changes and their impact on the association.”

Something most members don’t know: “I enjoy working with kids and spent every summer between the ages of seven to 21 either being a camper or camp counselor. I was so committed to the trade that I became certified as a lifeguard, drove a school bus at one point (to help transport the kids to the beach, of course!), and did all things from arts and crafts to ropes courses. It was really the best time of my life, and if I could go back to spending my summers in that capacity today, I would do it in a heartbeat.”

Reason to join: “The ABA is a unique space that truly has something for everyone. Whether it’s a practice-specific section tailored to enhancing one’s practice; a demographic specific division (like the Young Lawyers Division) creating relationships and support in the profession; or concentrated committees, forums and task forces that allow one to work on specific initiatives that impact the practice and our society, there is a home for every lawyer. From legislation, governance, leadership, education, to really anything in between, the ABA has it in spades and is the only entity that welcomes legal professionals from every corner to have a voice.”

Vincent Chang

District 15

Counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell

New York City

Positive experiences with the ABA: I served for six years on the Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, which reviews and rates federal judicial nominees nationwide and transmits those ratings to the Senate and the President. It was an experience of a lifetime to work with the Chairs and other Committee members who are among the most thoughtful and dedicated attorneys whom I have ever encountered. Its members devote an average of 400 to 700 hours annually to Committee work. The ABA’s Standing Committee is the only non-partisan group committed to ensuring that nominees to the federal judiciary meet our exacting criteria. I also serve as Co-Chair of the NY Chapter of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. The ABF does groundbreaking interdisciplinary research on topics of concern to the legal profession. In a world dominated by sound bites and 100-character messages, the ABF’s rigorous work stands out as a voice of reason.

Plans for term: My hope is to work on a problem that will not be solved soon—convincing the legal community of the incredible value proposition that the ABA presents. We are the only national voice of the legal profession and integral to protecting the rule of law. We are the only effective national counterweight to the forces that threaten to undermine our legal system. I also will work on diversity issues, as I have for much of my career. In the wake of the SFFA v. Harvard decision, invalidating affirmative action, now is the time for bar associations to work within the SFFA framework to provide constructive and nuanced approaches to promoting diversity, particularly diversity in the legal profession and in legal education.

Something most members don’t know: I’m regarded as a product of the biggest of cities, New York City (where I’ve worked since 1989), but was born in Topeka Kansas, and grew up in Somerset, Kentucky, and Knoxville, Iowa. I delivered newspapers and worked in corn fields in Iowa. I played basketball in middle school in Iowa (and so am an avid fan of Caitlin Clark!)

Reason to join: The ABA is the only national legal standard-bearer on issues of concern to the profession. Recently, the Association led our profession in advocacy on such issues as gun control, bipartisan immigration reform and furthering access to justice. While attorneys may be content to remain bystanders passively observing the ABA’s efforts to preserve the rule of law, we maintain that it is far more enriching to actively participate in our common effort to improve the legal profession and our legal system. However, there are less abstract reasons to join the ABA. It’s an amazing group of talented and personable people whom you can get to know in ABA events and functions. And bar association members are collaborative—that’s why we join a membership organization! During the pandemic our collaboration and networking were hamstrung. But those dark days are over and now is the time to experience the fellowship and networking that ABA membership can confer.

Cynthia E. Nance

District 16

Dean, University of Arkansas School of Law

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Positive experiences with the ABA: “The ABA has enriched my professional and personal life. Through my membership in the association, I have met many knowledgeable lawyer leaders from whom I have learned a great deal and with whom I have formed lasting friendships. Relationships that I have formed with colleagues in the Section of Labor and Employment Law and Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary have become deep and lasting friendships. By attending and participating in Continuing Legal Education and other programs, I have obtained innovative, timely updates and information that have enriched my classroom teaching.”

Plans for term: “While on the Board of Governors, I hope to continue to encourage law students and young lawyers to join the association. Our law school had 17 student liaisons to ABA entities this school year. It is important that they remain active once they graduate. I would also like to highlight the importance of Goal III while we work to tackle our financial issues. Serving on the Board will be an opportunity for me to learn more about the association and to share that information with those in my network in ways that encourage their interest in joining and serving.”

Something most members don’t know: “I grew up playing the violin and had a partial scholarship to college to play in the chamber orchestra, and spent summers on a farm in Wautoma, Wisconsin.”

Reason to join: “Being an ABA member is an opportunity to serve, to learn, to develop as a professional and to grow both your personal and professional networks. Whatever interests a legal professional might have, there is an ABA entity through which that lawyer can obtain a wealth of knowledge and rewarding experiences.”

Erik A. Christiansen

District 17

Shareholder, Parsons Behle & Latimer

Salt Lake City

Positive experiences with the ABA: “The ABA is the uncontested leader in the promotion of diversity in the legal profession. I am incredibly proud of the work the ABA does every day, particularly now, where fundamental concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession are under attack. My views on immigration forever changed after I volunteered with the ABA’s Immigration Justice Project at the Otay Mesa Detention Center and interviewed asylum seekers. My commitment to diversity in the legal profession deepened and expanded when I helped launch the Judicial Intern Opportunity Program in Utah. If you want to make a difference in the world, join the ABA. If you want to remember why you went to law school, join the ABA.”

Plans for term: “I would like to completely transform the ABA from head to toe, to reinvent the organization for a new generation of lawyers and to continue to foster the ABA’s national role as the voice of the legal profession. The internet splintered and divided up the available space in our brains and gave birth to the attention economy, where different internet interactions now own large segments of our brain’s attention. The result, in part, in the legal world has been the splintering of the legal profession into a myriad of national, regional, local, municipal, specialized and affinity bar organizations. Competition for the attention of lawyers has never been more fierce. The challenge for the ABA going forward is to stake out and own the portion of lawyers’ brains that matters the most—our ability to change the world. That will be my focus.”

Something most members don’t know: “I am a Dead Head. I play electric guitar. I collect electric guitars. And I attend more than 60 live concerts a year, including by sneaking out late at night during ABA meetings. Music is my hobby. My most prized guitar: I own one of only 100 exact duplicates of Jerry Garcia’s famous Alligator guitar, played on the Grateful Dead’s Europe ‘72 album, which was hand-crafted by Fender Guitar’s master guitar maker, Austin MacNutt. The guitar has a storied history, and as a Dead Head, I cannot ask for a greater gift.”

Reason to join: “The ABA is the best place to advance the values of the profession, to foster national relationships with other lawyers, and to form lifelong friendships with the best lawyers across the country. As I said before, if you want to make a difference, join the ABA. If you want to remember why you went to law school, join the ABA. If you want to change the world, join the ABA. The ABA will get you out of your office, so that you form lasting relationships and friendships, which will make you a better lawyer and help you to make a real difference in the lives of Americans.”

Linda Strite Murnane

Judicial Division

Associate Justice, High Court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands

Xenia, Ohio

Positive experiences with the ABA: “Part of my legal career has included service with the United Nations in The Hague, The Netherlands, working with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. During my time with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, I was participating in the Judicial Division’s planning meeting for the incoming chair. The meeting was being held in Philadelphia. I had a very important briefing I needed to present to major funders of the tribunal, which was set for one hour during my time in Philadelphia. In order to present the briefing, I needed to secure the assistance of a law firm to open their office for a 3 a.m. video conference presentation, to provide an IT technician to troubleshoot in case anything went wrong with the presentation and to allow me to use their facilities for this important matter. I reached out to my Judicial Division colleague and friend, the Honorable Stephanie Domitrovich. While I didn’t have any connections to anyone in Philadelphia, she did through her ABA contacts. Another ABA member, Tom Wilkinson, arranged with his firm Cozen O’Connor to support the briefing and their tech support team did an excellent job—despite the presentation being at 3 a.m. local time. It was a reminder of the global support I have as an ABA member to achieve success in the practice of law.”

Plans for term: “I hope to bring greater transparency and accountability to enable members to have greater confidence in the decisions being taken during the challenging financial times the ABA is facing.”

Something most members don’t know: “I suspect ABA members already know most everything about me as I have been a member for more than four decades. I am honored to have received the Margaret Brent Award and the Section of International Law’s Mayre Rasmussen Award for my work advancing opportunities for other women in the practice of law and in the practice of international law.”

Reason to join: “Whether you join or not, the ABA is going to continue to speak on your behalf. They adopt the professionalism and code of conduct rules that govern how you practice law. It is important, then, that you be at the table and share the real-world challenges to ensure the ethical and professional practice of law.”

Gail Golman Holtzman

Section of Labor and Employment Law

Partner, Taylor English Duma

Tampa, Florida

Positive experiences with the ABA: “While working as a first-year associate at a Washington, D.C. firm, my mentor and friend suggested that I join an emerging committee within the Section of Labor and Employment Law, the Employment Rights and Responsibilities Committee. I am so grateful that I took his advice. I can’t imagine my life without my ABA experiences and the incredible friends that I have made around the world. The section has offered me the opportunity to enhance my writing and speaking skills and to serve in various leadership roles, including as section chair. I also have enjoyed serving as a section liaison to the Commission on Women in the Profession. My involvement in the ABA has enhanced my skills as an attorney, provided me with valuable leadership skills and offered travel opportunities to spectacular locations around the world.”

Plans for term: “I look forward to supporting the ABA in its goals of expanding and serving its members and providing outstanding Continuing Legal Education programs. I have observed first-hand within the Section of Labor and Employment Law the benefits of Continuing Legal Education programs that provide the unique opportunity for divergent constituent perspectives and analyses. Also, I hope to continue work that I have undertaken in the section to promote equal employment opportunities within the profession. Finally, and so importantly, I am excited to support the ABA in its unique and significant role in protecting and advancing the rule of law.”

Something most members don’t know: “As with the ABA, my roots are in Chicago. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and attended a wonderful elementary school in that area and then an excellent high school. And, incredibly, our classmates from both schools remain connected today. After graduating from the University of Illinois, I taught high school English in the Chicago area and then relocated to Washington, D.C., where I helped various business entities with public affairs. As part of my work in the nation’s capital, I had the opportunity to meet officials in the West Wing, which was exciting for my client and me! While those early career experiences provided me with valuable tools, I finally fulfilled my dream of attending law school and becoming an attorney, a profession that has been very fulfilling for me.”

Reason to join: “I love Winston Churchill’s quote: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” This certainly has been true for me. As attorneys, we are busy in our careers. Finding the time to become involved in the ABA, however, yields so many benefits. Through that involvement, attorneys have the opportunity to find a community, to enhance their skills through excellent Continuing Legal Education and to expand their professional and personal networks. My involvement in the ABA has enriched my life in so many ways. Through my role as a Board of Governors member, I hope to serve as a great ambassador for the organization.”

Paula C. Martucci

Antitrust Law Section

Retired Director and Associate General Counsel, Walmart

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Positive experiences with the ABA: “There are so many positive experiences to share. Most significant was being encouraged to join the Antitrust Law Section, where I found my home in the ABA and the profession. People are an important part of a positive experience. Section director Joanne Travis leads a team of exceptional professionals who partner with members to produce quality publications and host outstanding events, such as the Antitrust Spring Meeting, [which is] in its 72nd year. Our professional staff also coordinate the Midwinter Leadership Meeting and Summer Summit. As a parent, these are especially positive experiences because our families are welcome and included in the activities. My daughter Cathleen, who is in her last semester of law school, began attending ABA events when she was in middle school. We are both beneficiaries of this welcoming community of friends and mentors.”

Plans for term: “I plan to be a pathfinder focusing on financial stability; attorney well-being; promoting and leveraging responsible use of emerging technologies; Goal III; and affordability of legal education and law student debt.”

Something most members don’t know: “My Saturdays are often spent at the farmer’s market, cheering on the Razorbacks and solving British mysteries on PBS.”

Reason to join: “All are welcome. We come together to make our profession better and to protect the rule of law. Joining is an investment in personal and professional development. There are resources and support for every phase of your legal career from law school through retirement. Through participation in programs and publications, there are opportunities to serve in leadership roles and improve skills and substantive knowledge, as well as build relationships with fellow practitioners, judges and enforcers from around the world. The most rewarding aspect is making friends, being a part of a community and championing issues important to you.”

Gregory G. Brooker

Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division

Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota

Minneapolis

Positive experiences with the ABA: “The most positive experience for me has been the wonderful people you meet in the ABA. By being involved in the ABA, you get to know colleagues from so many different practice areas, and this gives you such an appreciation of all the amazing work lawyers are doing in this big country of ours.”

Plans for term: “Because I have been a government lawyer for most of my professional career, I hope to bring the perspective of those of us who are active in the ABA through the sections and divisions that focus on government lawyers. There are so many wonderful military lawyers, agency counsel, state and local attorneys, as well as federal prosecutors, who each contribute to the diverse culture of the ABA. I hope to be a voice for them on the Board of Governors.”

Something most members don’t know: “When I was 20 years old, I boarded a Greyhound bus from Minnesota to Yellowstone National Park and worked in the park for the summer. On my days off, I hitchhiked and along the way, I met some great people and saw some amazing wildlife.”

Reason to join: “Joining the ABA gives you an appreciation of how diverse and varied the practice of law is in this country. The ABA gets you out of your discrete practice area and widens your outlook and perspective on so many issues and topics of concern to our profession. And the people you meet in the ABA can become lifelong friends and colleagues.”

Juan R. Thomas

Goal III Minority Member-at-Large

Of Counsel, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer

Chicago

Positive experiences with the ABA: “I have enjoyed the numerous opportunities I have been afforded to serve the association in different sections, committees and within the broader ABA. I have felt welcome to offer my thoughts and ideas in varying platforms and truly have enjoyed the interaction with my professional colleagues. My involvement in the ABA has given me a deeper appreciation for the multiple levels of diversity within the legal community.”

Plans for term: “The ABA is at a crossroads. The difficult question that the Board of Governors must answer is will the ABA be relevant to the next generation of lawyers? The Board must engage this question on multiple levels. The Board must ensure that the ABA is financially affordable, professionally meaningful and socially responsible to this and the next generation of lawyers. This will not be an easy conversation and difficult decisions will have to be made by the Board. I hope that by the end of my term, it will be said that the Board accomplished moving the ABA in a direction of continued relevance, sustainable membership growth and being fiscally responsible.”

Something most members don’t know: “My secret desire is to be a jazz trumpet player and travel around the world performing.”

Reason to join: “The ABA has tremendous resources to develop and enhance a lawyer’s legal skills and professional development. The association also provides each member opportunities to build a national network of legal professionals in a variety of practice areas.”

Abre’ Conner

Young Lawyers Division Member-at-Large

Director of Environmental and Climate Justice, NAACP

Sacramento, California

Positive experiences with the ABA: “When I was the Chief Policy Officer for the Young Lawyers Division, I was proud that we spearheaded a now policy declaring racism as a public health crisis. It was during a time when the country had tough choices to make about centering equity and historically excluded communities. The ABA did not waiver in its commitment to championing what matters most.”

Plans for term: “I want to make sure that the ABA is a safe place for all attorneys, regardless of background or type of work they do. The Board of Governors plays a critical role in ensuring that the Association can continue to be innovative for not only the current landscape of attorneys, but the future as well.”

Something most members don’t know: “I love comics and anime. I also completed a Spartan Trifecta, meaning I completed a Spartan Beast, Super and Sprint obstacle course race in one year.”

Reason to join: “The ABA is one of the only places where you can meet lawyers from across the country in one setting. Additionally, the impact the ABA can have on our federal, state and local policies and legal landscape is immense. It’s a great opportunity to ensure your voice is heard in this important space.”

An abridged version of this story was originally published in the June-July 2024 issue of the ABA Journal under the headline: “In Their Own Words: Meet the ABA’s newest leadership candidates.”