Brenda Louise Burke

Brenda Louise Burke was born in December 1946 in Washington, D.C., to James Louis Hayes and Juanita Hayes. From the beginning, Brenda’s life was shaped by family, faith, determination, education, and a deep commitment to helping others.

Brenda was the beloved big sister to Audrey, and the two shared a special bond throughout their lives. Because their father served in the United States Army, Brenda and her family traveled and experienced life in different places. These experiences helped shape Brenda into the strong, resilient, and independent woman she would become.

Faith was an important foundation throughout Brenda’s life. While living in France, she attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Poitiers Junior High. Her family later moved to South Bend, Indiana, where Brenda graduated from Central High School. She continued her education at Ball State University, studying business, and later pursued further studies in business at IUPUI in Indianapolis. Her commitment to education continued throughout her life, and she ultimately earned her Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Brenda’s faith was not simply something she believed; it was something she lived. She was a faithful member of Light of the World Christian Church for more than 50 years. Her church was an important part of her life, providing a place of faith, fellowship, service, and spiritual grounding. Her relationship with God helped guide her through every chapter of her life and was reflected in the way she treated others—with kindness, generosity, grace, and compassion.

Brenda built an extraordinary career through hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in creating opportunities for others. She steadily advanced throughout her professional life, working with respected organizations including Indiana Bell, Mayflower, Wishard Hospital, Eli Lilly, the City of Indianapolis, and WellPoint.

Her commitment to service led her to the City of Indianapolis, where she served as Director of the Department of Administration under the guidance of Mayor Bart Peterson. Her leadership and accomplishments earned her national recognition and further established her as a respected leader in both business and public service.

Following her time with the City of Indianapolis, Brenda continued her professional journey at WellPoint, Inc., where she served as Director of Supplier Diversity. In this role, she became nationally recognized as a leading professional in the field. Brenda played an important role in creating a model supplier-diversity program, helping establish opportunities for businesses and communities that might otherwise have been overlooked.

Her influence extended well beyond the positions she held. Brenda served on several boards, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council, and was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Indianapolis Links Chapter. Through her professional and community involvement, she remained committed to leadership, mentorship, service, and creating opportunities for others.

For all of Brenda’s professional accomplishments, those who knew her will remember that she was so much more than her career.

Brenda had a wonderful ability to make people feel welcome, valued, and capable. She had a passion for playing bridge and would gladly offer to teach anyone who was willing to sit down long enough to learn. Sharing her knowledge was simply part of who Brenda was. She encouraged others, opened doors, and freely shared the wisdom she had gained throughout her life.

While Brenda accomplished much throughout her professional life, her greatest source of pride was her family.

She leaves behind her beloved sister, Audrey (Austin) Wathen; her daughter, Erika (John) Marks; her grandchildren, Tylar McNulty, Don (Jennifer) McCraig, and Maya Marks; and her great-grandchildren, Hayes Hartman, Cleo McCraig, and Braxton McDavid.

She also leaves behind her niece, Monica Goodwin, her nephew, Aaron (Kiah) Smith, and many other family members, friends, colleagues, and loved ones whose lives she touched.

Brenda will be remembered not only for the positions she held, the accomplishments she achieved, or the recognition she received, but for the doors she opened for others, the wisdom she shared, the people she encouraged, and the love she gave to her family.

She lived a life of purpose. She demonstrated what it meant to persevere, to lead, to serve, and to make a difference. Her legacy will continue through the family she loved, the people she mentored, the organizations she strengthened, and the many lives made better simply because she was a part of them.

Brenda Louise Burke’s life was a testament to faith, family, education, leadership, and service. She showed those around her the power of determination, the importance of giving back, and the lasting impact one person can have on the lives of others.

Though she will be deeply missed, Brenda’s influence will continue through the generations she helped shape and the countless lives she touched along the way.

May she rest in eternal peace, and may her memory forever be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.