Vice President of Global Communications
Chris Olson joined Compassion in 2016 and currently serves as vice president of Global Communications. His team is responsible for creating and implementing communication strategies that inspire action, strengthen Compassion's global reputation, and foster unity across the organization. His work includes delivering solutions focused on advancing the mission of the ministry through workforce and executive communications, global public relations, and crisis and reputation management.
Before Compassion, Chris spent more than 20 years at financial services firm USAA where he served as assistant vice president of Corporate Communications. In this role, he oversaw communications for large-scale company transformations, strategic initiatives, and employee engagement campaigns for a workforce of nearly 30,000 employees. Earlier in his career, Chris worked in television and as a video writer/producer.
Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, with minors in political science and psychology. He also studied at the University of Copenhagen with a focus on East European studies. Over the years, he participated in international missions work, including outreaches in Eastern Europe and South America.
Chris grew up in Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes and more than a few mosquitoes. He and his wife, Sandra, have been married for more than 30 years. They have three children and live in Colorado. In his spare time, Chris loves experiencing the outdoors and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.