Chris Nelson

Chris Nelson is currently the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (Interim) at University of Utah. Prior to this, Chris Nelson was the Executive Director for the University of Utah Hospital Foundation from January 2005 to April 2017. Chris Nelson has also held the position of Public Relations Specialist from August 1996 to September 2000.

Chris Nelson is responsible for developing, implementing, coordinating and tracking an integrated communication and marketing program for the University of Utah’s John A. Moran Eye Center and its 10 satellite locations. During their time at Moran Eye Center, they were successful in pitching and placing stories which resulted in approximately $200,000 worth of free media coverage annually. Furthermore, they increased the center’s local top-of-mind awareness from 5 percent to over 30 percent. In addition, Chris Nelson coordinated a communication campaign related to the successful completion of a $53 million fundraising campaign as well as a campaign for the launch and rebranding of 10 optical locations.

Chris Nelson has a Master of Public Administration (MPA-Executive Program) from the College of Social and Behavioral Science at the University of Utah. Chris also has a Graduate Certificate in Integrated Marketing Communication from the Department of Communication at the University of Utah. Chris's undergraduate degrees are in Broadcast Journalism (Mass Communication) and Political Science and Government, both from the University of Utah.

Chris Nelson works with Marla De Jong - Dean, Louis H. Peery Presidential Endowed Chair & Professor, College of Nursing, Randall Peterson - Dean, College of Pharmacy, and Heidi Woodbury - VP, Institutional Advancement. Chris Nelson reports to Taylor R. Randall, University President.