todd Jacobson

Todd Jacobson is a senior executive with more than 25 years of corporate, government and nonprofit leadership experience. He is the Founder and CEO of TAJ Global, a consulting firm providing guidance in several key areas including impact business strategy, social responsibility, environmental sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, international relations, crisis management, government affairs, and philanthropy.

Most recently, Todd served as the Senior Vice President, Head of Social Responsibility for the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he oversaw the global social responsibility efforts, sustainability work, community and nonprofit partnerships, and public service initiatives for the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, Basketball Africa League (BAL) and NBA 2K League. He also managed the league’s government affairs efforts including the White House, State Department and United Nations. During his 23-year tenure at the NBA, Todd co-created the NBA Cares program and led the team that managed the global social impact programming in more than 45 countries across six continents. He also developed and launched the NBA Foundation and the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, directed the League’s social justice efforts, and built the League’s international community engagement initiatives. In both 2016 and 2021, NBA Cares won ESPN’s League Humanitarian Leadership Award and in 2021, the NBA was named to Fast Company’s first “Brands That Matter” list for its impact on business and culture.

Prior to joining the NBA, Todd served as Acting Director of Central Recreation for the New York City Parks & Recreation Department, supervising the operations of citywide recreation programs and special events.

Todd is currently an Associate Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, sharing expertise in strategic corporate social responsibility, public/private partnerships, international relations, cause marketing, government affairs, crisis management, advocacy, environmental sustainability, and philanthropy. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Maccabi USA, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF New York Regional Board, JETR Global Advisory Board, the Beyond Sport Advisory Board, Football for the Goals Advisory Board, and the UJA Sports for Youth Executive Committee.

Before starting his professional career, Todd was as a member of the United States Soccer Team at the 15th Maccabiah Games in Israel.

Todd earned a BS, in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University, where he was a four-year letter winner in soccer and finished his career on the all-time assists list. He also holds an MPA from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University.