The Jane Goodall Institute is deeply saddened by the passing of our longtime friend, supporter, and leader, Donald R. Kendall, Jr., who served our organization with extraordinary dedication and generosity for many years. As a member of the JGI USA Board of Directors, former Board Chair, and member of the Jane Goodall Institute Global Board, Don played a vital role in advancing our mission and strengthening our global community. 

Don was a passionate conservation advocate whose influence extended far beyond JGI. Throughout his life, he combined exceptional business acumen with a profound commitment to environmental stewardship, lending his leadership and expertise to organizations including Bat Conservation International, Earthwatch International, MarAlliance, and the Houston Zoo. He believed deeply in the power of conservation to create a better future and worked tirelessly to support the people and organizations making that vision a reality.  

Don’s friendship with Dr. Jane Goodall spanned many years and was rooted in a shared belief that people can make a positive difference for animals, people, and the environment. He was a steadfast supporter of Jane’s vision and an enthusiastic ambassador for her work, helping inspire others to engage with conservation and environmental causes. His thoughtful counsel and unwavering belief in JGI’s mission strengthened our organization in countless ways.  

Among his many contributions to JGI, Don just recently commissioned and donated a powerful portrait by world-renowned artist Ralph Heimans. Set in Gombe, Tanzania, where Jane’s pioneering journey began in 1960, the large-scale portrait returns her to the landscape that shaped her life’s work and transformed our understanding of the natural world. The initiative reflects Don’s appreciation for the power of storytelling and art to inspire action and honor legacies. Like so many of Don’s efforts on behalf of JGI, it stands as a lasting tribute to his commitment to ensuring that Jane’s message continues to reach and move people around the world. 

Don’s passing is a tremendous loss for JGI and for the broader conservation community. Yet his legacy lives on through the organizations he strengthened, the partnerships he fostered, the people he inspired, and the lasting impact of his commitment to protecting our natural world.  

We are deeply grateful for Don’s years of service, friendship, and unwavering dedication to conservation. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by his generosity and leadership. 

About Donald R. Kendall, Jr. 

Donald R. Kendall, Jr. was a General Partner of New Climate Ventures and a founding Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer of Kenmont Capital, LP.  Mr. Kendall ran a distressed debt and credit-based hedge fund focused on the energy, power, and transportation sectors and a top performing private equity fund of funds under the Kenmont umbrella. In addition, Mr. Kendall utilized his extensive background in the energy, power and infrastructure industries overseeing event driven, distressed and capital structure arbitrage credit activities, in addition to private equity activities, as a portfolio manager for Carlson Capital, L.P., a hedge fund headquartered in Dallas, Texas. 

Mr. Kendall had a long history of devoting his time and expertise to conservation and education, including serving as a board member for Longneck Manor Conservation Foundation, and Mar Alliance. Additionally, he served as a board member of Earthwatch International, Ecological Defense Group, as a Trustee of Hamilton College, as well as a member of the Investment Committee, the Board of Overseers of The Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College, Vice Chair of the Houston Zoo, Inc. and Chair of its Conservation Committee, Bat Conservation International, and Prospect Park Alliance and chaired multiple committees of various nonprofits boards.