“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” — Rosalynn Carter.
Phil and Tammy Murphy: From Wall Street to New Jersey’s Executive Mansion
Phil Murphy and Tammy Snyder Murphy are a power couple whose careers span global finance, diplomacy, and public service. Their partnership has shaped both their personal lives and their impact on New Jersey.
Phil Murphy: Wall Street to Governor
Governor Phil Murphy began his career at Goldman Sachs in 1982 as a summer associate and quickly rose through the ranks after joining full-time in 1983. He led the firm’s Frankfurt office from 1993 to 1997, playing a key role in post-Cold War economic transitions in Germany, and later became President of Goldman Sachs (Asia), overseeing operations during China’s economic opening. By 2001, he was global co-head of the Investment Management Division, managing $373 billion in assets, and joined the firm’s management committee before retiring in 2006 after 23 years.
After Goldman Sachs, Murphy served as National Finance Chair for the Democratic National Committee and was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Germany from 2009 to 2013. He was elected as New Jersey’s 56th governor in 2018 and re-elected in 2021. As governor, Murphy has focused on progressive policies, including raising the minimum wage, expanding paid family leave, legalizing adult-use cannabis, and investing in education and infrastructure.
Tammy Murphy: Finance, Advocacy, and First Lady
Tammy Snyder Murphy, a Virginia native and University of Virginia graduate, also began her career in finance, working at Goldman Sachs where she met Phil in the 1980s. She worked in both the U.S. and Europe, living in London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, and Berlin. Tammy has been deeply involved in nonprofit work, focusing on the environment, education, health care, and trans-Atlantic relations.
As First Lady of New Jersey since 2018, Tammy Murphy has taken an unusually active policy role. She is the first spouse of a New Jersey governor to deliver an inaugural speech and maintains an office in the State House. Her initiatives include:
• Leading efforts to improve infant and maternal health, including launching Family Festivals to connect families with resources.
• Championing climate change education, working with the Department of Education to integrate climate science into K-12 curricula—the first statewide mandate in the U.S..
• Supporting women-owned businesses by partnering with the Economic Development Authority to increase investment in women-led startups.
• Serving on the board of The Climate Reality Action Fund, founded by Al Gore.
Tammy also played a central role during Phil’s ambassadorship in Germany, hosting events and representing the U.S. abroad.
Joint Initiatives and Legacy
Together, Phil and Tammy Murphy founded New Start New Jersey, a think tank dedicated to growing the middle class and revitalizing the state’s economy. Their shared experience in finance, diplomacy, and public service has made them a formidable team in both policy and advocacy.
Phil Murphy’s legacy as governor is marked by progressive reform, while Tammy Murphy has redefined the role of First Lady in New Jersey, making significant strides in public health, education, and environmental policy.
(Photographer: Michael de la Force, LIKE Magazine)
(Michael de la Force, LIKE® Magazine, 5.21.2025)
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