Runway Group executive Brenda Anderson dies

Brenda Anderson, chief strategy officer at Runway Group, died Wednesday (Nov. 20) at her home in Bentonville. She was 65. Anderson joined the Bentonville holding company as chief strategy officer in January 2022.

She previously was director of real estate development for Blue Crane, Runway Group’s real estate acquisition and development arm. The company invests in real estate, outdoor initiatives, hospitality and businesses. Blue Crane is also based in Bentonville and led by Steuart Walton and Tom Walton, CEO of Runway Group. Notable projects include 8th Street Market, Skylight Cinema, The Record and Blake St. House.

On May 9, Blue Crane announced the purchase of 2,700 acres of undeveloped land in and around Bella Vista from Cooper Communities Inc. of Rogers.

According to her obituary, Anderson was “devoted to creating meaningful public spaces and impactful community development projects throughout her career in the municipal, nonprofit and private development sectors. Passionate about mentorship, she shared wisdom on resilience, empathy and gratitude.”

The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal named Anderson to its Women in Business class in 2021.

Anderson was born in Cabool, Mo., to Freda (Flowers) and Louie Killion. She earned a master’s degree in resource planning from Missouri State University. She enjoyed cycling, gardening, reading and following the bears in Katmai National Park and Preserve.

Her obituary shows that “in a final act of service, Brenda’s body was donated to science, continuing her lifelong love of learning and education.”

She is survived by her husband, Mike Anderson; a son; three daughters; and four grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter.

A celebration of life will take place 1 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 24) at The Homestead at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville. Guests should plan to walk or ride a bike there. For guests who need assistance, reserved parking is available at Coler’s north trailhead parking lot on Peach Orchard Road.

In lieu of flowers or donations, Anderson requested that others perform good deeds in her memory.