Remembering Jane Goodall: A Hero, a Teacher, and a Legacy of Quiet Leadership
- Leah Murphy
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
From Jane Hospitality: Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall, a woman whose work reshaped how the world understands care, presence, and our responsibility to one another and the planet. For our founder, Leah Dauer Murphy, Dr. Goodall was not only a hero but also a personal guide whose influence helped shape both her life and the spirit of Jane Hospitality. What follows is Leah’s reflection.
Earlier today I received a text: “Oh no — Jane Goodall. I know how much she meant to you.” My heart immediately sank.
Dr. Jane Goodall has been one of my lifelong heroes. Like so many, I am heartbroken at the news of her passing, and also so thankful for the 91 years she gave us filled with work, compassion, and hope. Her legacy is one the world will continue to learn from for generations.
I first met her at the end of high school at a Roots & Shoots conference in Montreal, almost exactly 26 years ago. As part of that trip, we visited the Fauna Foundation, a sanctuary for chimpanzees who had been rescued from lives as pets, from research labs, or from the entertainment industry. I still remember listening to her speak about our responsibility to care for the world around us. Reading back through my journal entries from that trip, I can see that even then I knew it would change me. And it did — those early experiences became part of how I understand the Jane Goodall legacy of curiosity and responsibility.
Over the years I saw her speak many times and read her books. Each time, I was reminded of the qualities that defined Jane Goodall’s leadership and made her such a force for good in the world:
Curiosity over Convention - She challenged the idea of “that’s how it’s always been done” and became one of the world’s most respected observers without a traditional path.
Relentless Hope - She worked for decades on causes like ending chimpanzee testing and never gave up, even when change came painfully slow.
Quiet Leadership - This was at the heart of Jane Goodall’s leadership style. She didn’t lead with bravado. She listened, sought common ground, and showed that presence and humility can be just as powerful.
My heart breaks for her family and for the world she leaves behind. But I also believe the Jane Goodall legacy will live on in every advocate, every quiet leader, and every person who believes that hope and presence can change the world.
At Jane Hospitality, her influence feels especially close. Our company was founded on the belief that true hospitality is presence, not performance — that the small things aren’t small, and that care is the core of everything we build. Jane Goodall’s life is a living example of those same values. Jane Goodall’s leadership showed the world what it looks like to lead with love, to listen deeply, and to work tirelessly for something bigger than yourself.
This is the spirit we carry forward in her honor.
Thank you, Dr. Goodall. You were, and remain, one of my greatest teachers. 🌍❤️
— Leah Dauer Murphy, Founder of Jane Hospitality
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