AIAC PAYS TRIBUTE TO JANE GOODALL
For Immediate Release
October 2, 2025 – New York, NY American Industrial Acquisition Corporation (AIAC), Partner of The Explorers Club, joins the world in mourning the passing of Jane Goodall, (1934–2025), whose pioneering spirit, scientific brilliance, and deep compassion inspired generations across the globe.
Dame Jane Goodall was a proud Member, Fellow, and Medalist of The Explorers Club, where she stood as a symbol of humanity’s highest ideals of discovery and stewardship. Dame Goodall actively participated in Explorers Club programs, continuing her lifelong dedication to advancing knowledge and protecting the planet. Last week, she was featured on Hope for Life on Our Planet, an AIAC-sponsored Explorers Club program on September 23, 2025, where her positive message of optimism and responsibility was broadcast to the organization’s global audience.
A video excerpt of Dr. Goodall’s remarks can be viewed here:
Dr. Goodall’s groundbreaking fieldwork with chimpanzees at Gombe Stream, Tanzania, revolutionized science by demonstrating the connection and continuity between humans and animals. She went on to establish the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots program, creating a global movement of conservation and youth empowerment. Dame Goodall was honored as United Nations Messenger of Peace, Dame of the British Empire and Officier of the French Légion d'Honneur, over 50 honorary degrees, and countless other international accolades.
Leonard M. Levie, Chairman of AIAC, Trustee of The Explorers Club, and Member of The Jane Goodall Institute Circle of Hope, issued the following statement:
"Our dear friend, Jane Goodall, devoted her noble life to the service of nature and of humanity. Without question, Jane was among the most accomplished and celebrated explorers of our generation—a true pioneer who redefined what it means to observe, to understand, and to care for the living world around us. Her revolutionary work at Gombe Stream in Tanzania didn't simply advance primatology; it fundamentally transformed our understanding of what connects us to all life on Earth, revealing the profound intelligence, emotion, and individuality present in our closest animal relatives.
Jane possessed that rarest combination of rigorous scientific mind and boundless compassionate heart. She taught us that true exploration requires courage to venture into the unknown, the wisdom to listen, the patience to observe without prejudice, and the humility to learn from those we study. What made her extraordinary was her groundbreaking discoveries combined with her unwavering commitment to translate knowledge into action. Through the Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots, she empowered millions to understand that individual actions, when multiplied across communities, can create transformative change.
Only days ago, she stood before us at The Explorers Club, her voice still strong with conviction, passionately reminding us of the urgency of acting with compassion and courage. She spoke of hope—not as naive optimism, but as a choice, a discipline, a responsibility we owe to future generations. That message, delivered with characteristic grace and determination, will be among her final gifts to the community of explorers she so cherished.
Jane's legacy transcends any single achievement or accolade. Her voice continues to inspire, and her legacy will guide generations of explorers to come, reminding us that we each have a role in writing the next chapter of life on Earth."
Mr. Levie, the Poet Laureate of the Explorers Club and a Member of the Circle of Hope of the Jane Goodall Institute, composed the following poetic tribute in honor of Dame Jane Goodall:
About Dame Jane Goodall, DBE
Dr. Jane Goodall (1934-2025) was a pioneering British primatologist, conservationist, and humanitarian whose groundbreaking research transformed our understanding of chimpanzees and the relationship between humans and animals.
Born in London in 1934, Jane's fascination with animals began in early childhood. Despite having no formal scientific training, at age 26 she traveled to Tanzania in 1960 under the mentorship of paleontologist Dr. Louis Leakey to study wild chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park. Her patient observation methods led to revolutionary discoveries: she was the first to document chimpanzees making and using tools, a capability previously thought to be uniquely human. She also observed complex social behaviors, emotions, and family structures among chimpanzees, fundamentally changing scientific understanding of primates and our place in the natural world.
Jane earned her PhD in ethology from Cambridge University in 1965 and continued what became the world's longest-running study of wild chimpanzees, spanning over six decades. Beyond her scientific achievements, she became a tireless global advocate for conservation, animal welfare, and environmental protection.
In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute to continue her work. In 1991, she established Roots & Shoots, a youth empowerment program now active in over 75 countries. She was appointed UN Messenger of Peace in 2002 and received numerous honors including Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Dr. Goodall traveled approximately 300 days a year well into her later life, inspiring millions with her message of hope and individual action. She passed away on October 1, 2025, at age 91, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of scientific discovery, conservation leadership, and environmental activism.
For further information, please see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Goodall
https://janegoodall.org/our-story/about-jane/
About The Jane Goodall Institute
The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global community conservation organization founded by Dr. Jane Goodall in 1977. Originally established to support the research at Gombe, the Institute has evolved into a comprehensive conservation and education organization with a presence in 27 countries worldwide.
Mission
The Jane Goodall Institute works to protect chimpanzees and inspire action to conserve the natural world we all share, improving the lives of people, animals, and the environment. The organization operates on the principle that everything is connected and everyone can make a difference.
Core Programs
Community-Centered Conservation (Tacare)
JGI pioneered a holistic approach to conservation that recognizes the essential connection between protecting wildlife and supporting local communities. The Tacare program helps communities develop sustainable livelihoods while conserving chimpanzee habitats, addressing needs in education, health, food security, and economic development.
Chimpanzee Sanctuaries
The Institute operates sanctuaries for orphaned and rescued chimpanzees in Africa, including Tchimpounga in the Republic of the Congo and Chimp Eden in South Africa, providing lifetime care for chimpanzees who cannot be returned to the wild.
Research and Science
JGI continues the groundbreaking research begun by Dr. Goodall at Gombe, now the longest-running wild chimpanzee study in the world. The Institute uses innovative science and technology to advance conservation efforts.
Roots & Shoots
Founded by Dr. Goodall in 1991, Roots & Shoots is a global youth-led environmental and humanitarian program active in over 75 countries. The program empowers young people of all ages to become involved in hands-on projects for their communities, animals, and the environment, creating the next generation of compassionate changemakers.
Global Network
The Jane Goodall Institute operates through a network of 27 national offices, including:
The Jane Goodall Institute UK (founded 1988)
The Jane Goodall Institute Global (established 2013)
The Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation (founded 2017)
Impact
Through its community-centered approach, the Institute has transformed conservation practice by demonstrating that protecting wildlife and improving human lives are interconnected goals. The organization continues Dr. Goodall's vision of fostering respect and responsibility for all living things, building a future grounded in compassion, collaboration, and hope.
For further information, please see:
About The Explorers Club
Founded in 1904, The Explorers Club is a prestigious international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. Based at its historic headquarters in New York City, the Club has served as a meeting point and unifying force for explorers and scientists worldwide for over a century.
The Club's membership includes many of history's most renowned explorers and scientists, from polar explorers Robert Peary and Roald Amundsen to oceanic pioneers Jacques Cousteau and Robert Ballard, from aviation legends Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart to space pioneers like Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Jim Lovell himself. The Club continues to support cutting-edge exploration in every realm—from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest peaks, from archaeological discoveries to space missions.
The Explorers Club is renowned for its rigorous standards of membership, requiring nominees to have made significant contributions to exploration or the sciences that advance our understanding of the world. The Club's Board of Trustees, Legacy Society, and various committees work to preserve the Club's mission while fostering new generations of explorers through grants, expeditions, and educational programs.
The Club's famous annual dinner, featuring exotic cuisine and presentations by leading explorers, has become legendary in New York society. More importantly, The Explorers Club continues to fund and support expeditions that push the boundaries of human knowledge, from climate research in Antarctica to biodiversity studies in remote rainforests to preparations for future Mars missions.
AIAC Chairman L. M. Levie serves as Member of its Board of Trustees and as Poet Laureate and Member of its Legacy Society. As Poet Laureate, Mr. Levie contributes to the Club's cultural mission by capturing the spirit of exploration through verse, honoring both historical achievements and contemporary discoveries that continue to expand the frontiers of human knowledge and experience.
For further information, please see:
About American Industrial Acquisition Corporation
American Industrial Acquisition Corporation (AIAC) is a diversified industrial group with manufacturing and distribution sites in 24 countries in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia-New Zealand. AIAC has acquired and grown non-core subsidiaries and divisions of Boeing, Siemens, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Johnson Controls, Merck, Pfizer, Astellas, Visteon, Carlyle, Ahlstrom, Tolko, Groupe Suez, Groupe Rexel, and many other leading multinational corporations.
AIAC companies serve companies and governmental entities worldwide in all major sectors, including aviation, space, defense, automotive, truck, rail, marine, petrochemical, solar, nuclear, food, confectionary, beverage, civil engineering and infrastructure, commercial construction, mining, dredging, disaster relief, education, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. In addition, AIAC companies are exclusive, authorized distributors of leading branded industrial and consumer products and serve as critical suppliers for the construction of major airports, schools, hospitals, performing arts and sports centers, offices and hotels throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. AIAC is a leading manufacturer of building, street, and highway signage in Europe, signage and illumination structures in North America, and a distributor of electrical products throughout France.
Of note, AIAC purchased Boeing Canada in 2005 and has produced over 10,000 unique components for every Boeing jet plane ever since, reliably serving Boeing from manufacturing facilities in North America. A leader in ultra-high precision jet engine component manufacturing, AIAC companies produce 2,200 fan blades for each jet engine produced by GE, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, and Honeywell.
AIAC companies actively support exploration into outer space, manufacturing critical components for launching and propelling spacecraft and satellites. AIAC customers in this sector include NASA, the European Space Agency, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing. research. AIAC affiliate, Champlain Cable Corporation, supported the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space missions with high performance wire and cable. AIAC companies also lead in the design and manufacture of undersea umbilical cables for worldwide oceanographic research.
AIAC companies produce the critical automotive wire and cable for Tesla, GM, Ford, Chrysler-Fiat, Toyota, and Nissan. In connection with its kraft paper manufacturing interests in Canada and the US, AIAC controls and sustainably manages 22 million acres of Manitoba, Canada forestland, an area equivalent in size to the nation of Hungary.
AIAC affiliate, Metallwarenfabrik Gemmingen GmbH, located in Germany, designs, manufactures and distributes high performance, emergency portable power generators utilized in global conflict zones and during natural disasters.
For further information, please see:
About AIAC Philanthropy
AIAC and the AIAC Foundation support a wide range of nonprofit, nonsectarian, bipartisan organizations which promote international conflict resolution, disaster relief, economic development, environmental sustainability, exploration, and the performing arts.
The exploration-focused nonprofit organizations which they actively support include the Explorers Club, the National Geographic Society, the Royal Geographical Society, the American Museum of Natural History and the Hayden Planetarium, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Space Society, and the United States Space Foundation.
AIAC's other beneficiaries include the Appeal of the Nobel Peace Laureates Foundation Inc., the Asia Society, the Atlantic Council, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - Gates Philanthropy Partners, the Bretton Woods Committee, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Carter Center, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Foreign Policy Association, the Institut Française des Relations Internationales, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Crisis Group, the International Rescue Committee, the Japan Society, the JFK School of Government of Harvard University, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), the Sierra Club, the Trilateral Commission, and the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute.
For further information, please see:
https://www.aiac.com/our-values
Media Contact:
Isabel Carro-Toro, Vice President
American Industrial Acquisition Corporation
+34 689 295 827 (Spain)
+1 787 244 3175 (USA)
icarro-toro@aiac.com