Hi, I'm
Scott
Pollack.
I build relationship infrastructure — the communities, partnerships, and programs that turn connections into outcomes.
I build ecosystems that
connect people —
communities, partnerships,
and the programs that
scale them.
I spent most of my career as a professional ugly duckling in a job that didn't come with a playbook — one we didn't study in school. I found my people by teaching, writing, and speaking about what I had learned, and in doing so became a community builder.
Twenty-plus years in the New York City startup ecosystem and at large companies like American Express taught me how to build the relationship infrastructure that turns connection into outcome.
Programs that actually moved the needle.
Firneo
Founder & CEO. Education and community for partnership leaders. Zero to 4,400+ members across 240+ companies. Acquired in early 2026.
Coards
Fractional advisor to education and career-tech companies on ecosystem-led growth. Active engagements: CareerVillage.org, ArcticBlue.ai.
Pavilion
Led the program portfolio — mentorship, chapters, courses, online community, career services, and premium membership. Lifted retention 36 points; rebuilt the curriculum from scratch.
WeWork
Built the Services unit. 300+ partners, +599% revenue growth. Turned a side bet into a real line of business inside a famously chaotic company.
American Express
Built and managed partnerships and products with major brands at Fortune 100 scale.
Teaching
Business development, partnerships, community strategy. Harvard, Wharton, NYU Stern, UC Berkeley, Babson. Plus one Amazon #1 New Release book.
Side projects that bring me joy.
Zoe
AI chief of staff that helps you think through decisions, manage your calendar, and get things done.
Visit zoe.gold ↗Scott Wants to Pet That Dawg
Part of a series of delightfully unhinged birthday party invitations. This one happened to be for a dog park party.
Visit the party site ↗Start of the Deal
Long-running blog about business development, partnerships, and the systems that make them work.
Read the blog ↗I used to write about business development, partnerships, and the operating systems beneath them.
A long-running blog of essays, field notes and the occasional rant. The same place a chunk of the book started life.
What, exactly,
is business
development?
The book that started as a Forbes column and accidentally became a textbook. Amazon #1 New Release in its category. Now on the syllabus at the University of New Mexico, which continues to make me feel respectable.
Let's talk.
Drop me a line and I'll get back to you. Whether it's an advisory engagement, a role you think I'd be right for, a teaching invitation, or just hello — I read every note.
I read every message and usually respond within a day.