About Cross Pollinate
Most conferences and industry associations are built around a large number of sponsors, speakers, and attendees, where only brief connections are possible. Most of these events do provide sufficient unstructured time for attendees to learn from their peers. At a typical conference, when a presenter shares their knowledge and experiences with a room full of people, there it isn’t the opportunity to go deeper in the areas relevant to you. These environments don’t invite confidential dialogues on sensitive topics.
Typical conferences are not a fertile environment for building deep and lasting friendships, having delicate conversations, or building a collection of peers to contact when challenges arise. The desire for this environment laid the groundwork for the Cross Pollinate Community.
Established
Event Cities
International Event
Our Story
Cross Pollinate was established in 2019, building on peer gatherings that began in 2013 on the West Coast. The community emerged from a simple observation: most conferences and industry associations don’t create space for the deeper, more candid conversations that family office principals and family enterprise leaders need.
What started as small lunches and wine retreats among friends has evolved into a multi-city community with events across the United States and international experiences in Dubai and Zimbabwe. The community has grown organically from the simple seed that brought it to life: when thoughtful people share experiences and learn from each other in confidential settings, everyone benefits.
Cross Pollinate continues to be guided by Mark Youngblood and a group of experienced family office advisors, with the hope that it grows well past its roots.
2013
- Initial topical exploration meeting
- Inaugural Wine Retreat
2015
First Cross Pollinate Event outside the US West Coast
2016
Regular Events in 5 Cities
First Single Family Office Hosted Event
2017
2019
Cross Pollinate Nonprofit Established
First Cross Pollinate Investment Partnership
2020
2021
First Cross Pollinate Investment has an IPO
2022
First International Event (Dubai & Zimbabwe)
2024
Gathering to watch “The Lehman Trilogy” Play
2025
Regular Zoom & In-person events
Our Approach
Cross Pollinate curates an intimate environment of peers interested in going deeper, sharing diverse perspectives and personal experiences, in a confidential environment. Cross Pollinate creates experiences where a wealth creator or steward, without any investment background can feel at home sharing their experience and perspective. Likewise, investment professionals, and family office managers feel at home discussing their personal goals as well as the intricacies of wealth and values transfer.
Who We Are
Cross Pollinate was founded by Mark Youngblood with the support of many family office staff and principals who were looking for a new way to connect with their peers, while learning and building friendships. Mark is supported by a group of advisors who have been involved with the family office community for decades. Contact us if you would like to know more about the community and its members.
Advisors
Cross Pollinate is guided by an informal advisory group of experienced family office leaders who have been involved in the family office community for decades:
Brad Parker
Michael Kane
Mike is the President of Kestrel Investments, a single family office near Philadelphia investing in venture capital and in private equity, which he founded in 2005. Mike also teaches philosophy and economics at the University of Pennsylvania. Mike has run a start up company and worked for many years in a family operating business. He has been an active board member for a number of start ups, and an advisory board member for several family office groups, including Institutional Investor, The 50, and IPI. Mike co-leads the week-long Wharton program for family offices each May.
Advisor #3
Advisor #3 is the President of a family enterprise in the southeastern United States serving the fourth, fifth and sixth generation of single family. In the office, this advisor focuses developing human capital as well as investments. They are a speaker and active in several family office groups, including Institutional Investor, The 50, and IPI. The office and individual prefer not to have a public presence.