Katie Parsons is Director of Municipal Affairs for Runway Group, a holding company based in Bentonville, Arkansas focused on making investments in real estate, outdoor initiatives, hospitality, and businesses committed to moving Northwest Arkansas forward. In her role, she is responsible for developing and leading the long-range, local policy agenda and engagement strategy with municipalities in Northwest Arkansas.
Katie has nearly 10 years of experience in the field of Public Relations and Public Affairs. Prior to her role with Runway Group, she served as Grassroots Advocacy Officer for Walton Enterprises. There she was responsible for organizing Northwest Arkansas community groups to engage in the civic process. Before returning to Northwest Arkansas in 2018, Katie resided in Dallas, Texas where she worked as a communications specialist at the headquarters for 7-Eleven. While at 7-Eleven, she led internal communications for more than 1,300 corporate employees and was a member of the Government Affairs team. Prior to her role at 7-Eleven, she was a communications specialist at 1st Global, a Dallas-based independent broker-dealer and consulting firm, where she led day-to-day communications to employees, affiliated financial advisors, partners, and vendors. Katie began her career working at the Walmart headquarters in recruiting and then Corporate Affairs.
Katie currently serves as secretary on the executive committee for Downtown Bentonville, Inc. and is Chairwoman of the Salvation Army’s Northwest Arkansas Echelon Chapter. She is also a 2019 graduate of Leadership Benton County.
Katie is an Arkansas native – born and raised in Fort Smith and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas. She currently resides in Springdale.
