Cris Nelson, Northwest Regional Vice President, Compass
Cris Nelson has lived and breathed real estate since she was a teenager. A born-and-bred Seattleite, she entered the industry at just 19 and has built a thriving brokerage career ever since. Over the past 16 years, she has skillfully managed fast-paced real estate offices with increasingly larger teams, earning a reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking leader. Her dedication to professional excellence is reflected in her prestigious designations, including the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)—held by fewer than 4% of agents—and the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation.
For Cris, real estate is more than just a career—it’s a legacy. Her mother had a long and successful real estate career, her brother owned a local mortgage company, and her husband—Compass agent Chris Nelson—has been in the business for over 25 years. Their two adult children, Blake and Ali, also followed in their footsteps, earning their real estate licenses as teenagers. Having called Sammamish home for two decades before moving to downtown Bellevue she has developed an expert-level knowledge of nearly every pocket of the region.
What sets Cris apart as both an agent and a leader is her unwavering commitment to growth. She is constantly seeking ways to learn, evolve, and stretch beyond her comfort zone—a mindset that has been instrumental in her success. She believes that trust and follow-through are the foundation of strong relationships, affirming, “If others can trust what you say and believe you will do what you say, they’ll be loyal to you.”
When she’s not leading, Cris enjoys cooking, entertaining, skiing, golfing, and traveling with her husband and family.