About Jordan BirnbaumJordan Birnbaum graduated from Cornell University with a BS degree in Policy Analysis, majoring in Consumer Economics and Housing. During his studies he undertook an independent, private study with then Associate Professor Dean Lillard of the Policy Analysis and Management Department, ultimately making the Dean’s List upon graduation.
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Early Career

In his first position after graduation, Jordan Birnbaum joined an associate program at the technology-focused investment bank D.E. Shaw & Co. , where he later became a trader responsible for the market-making of Japanese equity warrants. Birnbaum rose quickly through the ranks at D.E. Shaw & Co. to become co-manager of the company’s trading operation during live operations of the stock exchange in Tokyo. From investment banking he moved on to Juno Online Services, a company that he knew from D.E. Shaw & Co., who provided the equity capital for the founding of the company. From Director of Subscriber Acquisition, he ultimately reached the position of Senior Vice President. His achievements of note at Juno were the in-store distribution deal with Blockbuster Video and his role in the company’s successful Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Birnbaum in the Entertainment Industry
In 2001 Jordan Birnbaum decided to combine his business acumen with his lifelong love of the entertainment industry and invested in a start-up company, Qtopia Events Inc., whose mandate was create a production studio located in a music and entertainment venue. Unfortunately the company was not very successful, a setback that Jordan Birnbaum saw as a challenge. He moved to Los Angeles and assumed management of the company. Under his astute management he brought operations to a break-even point, with the real turnaround coming in late 2004 when he finally obtained a liquor license. At this point renovations were made in the venue, and the company was re-launched as Vanguard. The new Vanguard became a great success, and a prime location for high profile Hollywood premiere parties, among them Borat and The Simpsons; concerts including the Black-eyed Peas; and corporate launches, including Dreamworks and Lexus, among others. In essence, Vanguard changed the Los Angeles electronic music scene, bringing weekly talent previously unknown to the city. Birnbaum worked with stalwarts of the industry such us Giant and Deep and Electric Daisy Carnival. Over the five years following its successful revamp, Vanguard generated more than US$ 40 million dollars gross revenue. During the period Jordan Birnbaum became a known figure in the entertainment business industry, serving as a business representative of the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council and as its corresponding secretary for six years.
Birnbaum Today
In 2012 Birnbaum collaborated with Richard Belzer, known for his role as Munch in Law & Order SVU, to develop The Secret Beatnik Party, a multimedia project that was based on a semi-farcical, off-the-grid political platform. The two aimed to combine live and recorded comedy with online tools and original multi-media content.
In 2013 Birnbaum participated in the foundation of Tawkers, where he worked as VP of Business Development until 2014. The Tawkers messaging app invited companies to create and share branded chats between influencers. It raised $1.6 Million in seed funding and partnered with many major brands and influencers around the world.
In 2015, after completing his Masters' in I/O Psychology at NYU, he founded his own consulting firm ManagEthos Consulting and began providing services to ADP Ventures among others. In 2016 he joined ADP as VP and Chief Behavioral Economist.
In this role, Jordan Birnbaum has been leading the development of Compass, an HR product built to promote leadership and collaboration in the workplace. Compass is compiled of two all-encompassing feedback assessment processes, and personalized online coaching for business leaders and their teams.
In 2017 Compass was listed by Human Resource Executive Magazine as the top HR product of the year. Due to its proven impact it has become one of ADP's fastest-growing products, helping employees and managers around the world hone their work relationships and habits.
With extensive experience in business development, behavioral economics and industrial & organizational psychology, Birnbaum has developed a unique expertise in contemporary HR concepts and methodologies. As such he has become a popular lecturer on productivity, employee motivation and workplace communication.
In 2013 Birnbaum participated in the foundation of Tawkers, where he worked as VP of Business Development until 2014. The Tawkers messaging app invited companies to create and share branded chats between influencers. It raised $1.6 Million in seed funding and partnered with many major brands and influencers around the world.
In 2015, after completing his Masters' in I/O Psychology at NYU, he founded his own consulting firm ManagEthos Consulting and began providing services to ADP Ventures among others. In 2016 he joined ADP as VP and Chief Behavioral Economist.
In this role, Jordan Birnbaum has been leading the development of Compass, an HR product built to promote leadership and collaboration in the workplace. Compass is compiled of two all-encompassing feedback assessment processes, and personalized online coaching for business leaders and their teams.
In 2017 Compass was listed by Human Resource Executive Magazine as the top HR product of the year. Due to its proven impact it has become one of ADP's fastest-growing products, helping employees and managers around the world hone their work relationships and habits.
With extensive experience in business development, behavioral economics and industrial & organizational psychology, Birnbaum has developed a unique expertise in contemporary HR concepts and methodologies. As such he has become a popular lecturer on productivity, employee motivation and workplace communication.