Jordan Payne Hay – American Express Global Business Travel

American Express Global Business Travel, or Amex GBT, stands at the forefront of the business travel industry, offering innovative solutions that revolutionize managing corporate travel. From seamless booking systems to artificial intelligence-driven enhancements in event planning and trip coordination, Amex GBT is committed to redefining the corporate travel experience. With a vast global network and a focus on operational excellence, the company continues to expand its services to meet the evolving needs of its clients while maintaining a sharp focus on compliance, risk management and employee relations.

Jordan Payne Hay | American Express Global Business Travel | Associate Counsel for Employment – Americas

Jordan Payne Hay plays a crucial role as an associate counsel for employment – Americas, ensuring the company stays ahead of legal and regulatory challenges.

“There is never a dull day when you practice employment law! Federal and state laws are in a near-constant state of flux and interpretation by courts and regulatory agencies. It could be seen as overwhelming, but I find it very exciting!” Hay says.

Hay’s primary responsibility at Amex GBT is to provide strategic legal guidance on employment issues across North America, which includes all 50 states and the District of Colombia, Canada, and Mexico. Her role has become increasingly vital as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) prepares to implement new regulations surrounding nondisclosure agreements and noncompete clauses. In anticipation of these changes, Hay has been leading the charge to ensure Amex GBT’s agreements are updated and fully compliant. Using advanced legal software, she drafts non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements, vital in protecting the company’s proprietary information and maintaining its competitive edge in the marketplace.

Strengthening HR with legal insights

Hay’s work goes beyond drafting agreements. A core part of her responsibility is educating human resources professionals and recruiters on the crucial importance of these legal frameworks. Hay emphasizes that NDAs and non-solicitation clauses protect the company’s intellectual capital. She has spearheaded numerous internal training programs to ensure that every team member understands how these agreements help safeguard the company’s future by maintaining a competitive advantage and protecting intellectual property and jobs.

Another key aspect of Hay’s role at Amex GBT is her leadership in policy realignment, particularly during organizational changes such as mergers and acquisitions. Mergers can create a complex legal landscape, and Hay is instrumental in ensuring policies are updated and aligned across all business units. Her work ensures that employees are treated equitably, regardless of which part of the organization they belong to, and that there is consistency in how policies are applied. This helps foster a unified and fair working environment, which is essential for maintaining a positive workplace culture and avoiding legal pitfalls. Hay works closely with the compensation, human resources, and employee relations teams to ensure smooth transitions and that the policies are practical and straightforward for all employees.

In addition to her policy work, Hay leads comprehensive training initiatives to keep business partners and leadership teams up to date on vital employment law issues. These training sessions cover various topics, including wage and hour laws, leave of absence protocols, and evolving state and federal regulations.

“By educating the company’s leaders on these issues, we ensure they can navigate complex legal landscapes confidently, helping mitigate risks and maintain compliance across the organization,” Hay explains.

Building trust through strong relationship management

Leadership development, talent acquisition, and retention are also central to Hay’s role. While Amex GBT has a lean employment law team, Hay’s efforts ensure that the company complies with all employment laws and is an excellent place to work. She works closely with Kirsten Hotchkiss, Vice President of Global Employment Law, and Andre Werner, Director – Counsel – Eastern Europe, to cover the vast and diverse global legal terrain. By fostering a collaborative and communicative environment, she ensures that her team is prepared to handle employment law’s complex and ever-changing demands. She’s also invested in recruiting and retaining top talent, and her focus on creating an inclusive and supportive workplace environment helps Amex GBT stand out in a highly competitive market for legal professionals.

Hay’s ability to build strong relationships within Amex GBT is one of the key factors that sets her apart as a leader. She regularly collaborates with colleagues across multiple departments, acting as a sounding board and a strategic partner. This relationship-building is at the core of her leadership philosophy, allowing her to offer tailored legal advice that aligns with the company’s business goals.

“I am proud to be a go-to person for employment-related legal questions and that my colleagues trust my expertise to navigate the legal intricacies of employment law while balancing the needs of the business,” Hay says.

Through her comprehensive approach to employment law, strategic policy updates, and commitment to fostering a unified and legally compliant workplace, Hay plays an indispensable role at Amex GBT. She ensures that the company navigates the complexities of modern business travel with a solid foundation of legal integrity and forward-thinking leadership.

From law firm associate to in-house counsel

Hay’s passion for law was sparked early on, and she was influenced by her mother, an attorney. She pursued this passion academically, earning her bachelor’s degree in government, legal studies, and sociology from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and obtaining her Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law.

Her career took off when she joined a law firm in Auburn, where she worked as an associate for seven years. A defining moment in her career came when her mentor, Rebecca Weber, suddenly passed away. Weber, a highly respected attorney, had entrusted Hay with her clients and cases, giving her a leadership role that allowed her to develop her skills and confidence as a lawyer much earlier than expected.

After years of handling significant responsibilities at the firm, Hay transitioned to an in-house counsel role at Wayfair, where she found her stride advising business leaders on employment law. Though her time there ended due to company layoffs, she quickly landed a new role at Amex GBT. Now serving as the associate counsel for the Americas, Hay enjoys her position’s autonomy while continuing to grow under the guidance of a highly experienced legal team.

Outside of work, Hay is a devoted mother to two young children. She loves spending time with her family, watching movies, exploring the outdoors, and traveling whenever possible, finding a healthy balance between her demanding career and personal life.

“My experience has been that Amex GBT is a great place to work and to build a long-term sustainable work/life balance.  I am so honored to be able to support the company’s efforts to provide that for all employees,” Hay says.