Compass taps LinkedIn exec as head of product

Christina Allen will oversee new technology for startup

Christina Allen
Christina Allen

Tech-centric brokerage Compass has hired former LinkedIn executive Christina Allen as its head of product, where she’ll spearhead the development of new technology for consumers and agents, the firm said.

Allen, who was a director of product management at LinkedIn since 2010, built LinkedIn University, an alumni-networking tool for the Silicon Valley company. She replaces Alex Stern, who was head of product for two years and is now head of growth at Compass.




Behind the story:
Compass

Compass’ suite of tools is central to the firm’s ability to scale nationally and has also been the subject of industry skepticism. Earlier this month, Compass introduced a real-time market data tool available for free to consumers.

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As of last month, the brokerage raised $125 million from investors including Institutional Venture Partners, Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital, Founders Fund, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Condé Nast parent Advance Publications.

The brokerage, valued at $800 million, recently opened an office in the Hamptons, as well as a second office in Brooklyn. It’s been ramping up in other markets, too, including Washington, D.C., Miami and Boston. The firm is eyeing half a dozen other cities.

According to the firm, it currently has $1 billion worth of exclusive listings in New York and more than $2.5 billion worth of projects in its new development pipeline.