I’m Kirsten Davenport Norwood, owner and Chief People Officer of Green Thumb Landscape in Indianapolis. We’re a full-service grounds maintenance company for residential and commercial clients—but at the root, we’re about restoring pride in neglected spaces and creating workforce opportunities that bring dignity back to blue-collar work.
My dad, Ron Davenport, started Green Thumb after serving in the Army. He wanted to do more good in his community, and that purpose has guided our family ever since. After losing both of my parents, I left my corporate career in 2024 to carry on their legacy full-time. It gave me more than a job—it gave me freedom and purpose. We say we grow more than grass; we grow people.
My husband always says, “the grass is greener where you water it.” That’s our philosophy. We invest in people—paying above a livable wage, building relationships that last, and showing that care for the land begins with care for one another.
Our workforce programs focus on three groups: veterans, through partnerships with HVAF; students, through programs at Ben Davis Area 31 Career Center; and individuals with disabilities, including my sister, who has Down syndrome. We give opportunities to those often overlooked and help them build meaningful careers.
What I get out of this work is seeing people thrive—watching someone go from overlooked to proud, knowing they’re building something real. It’s how I honor my parents and grow stronger communities every day.
My dad, Ron Davenport, started Green Thumb after serving in the Army. He wanted to do more good in his community, and that purpose has guided our family ever since. After losing both of my parents, I left my corporate career in 2024 to carry on their legacy full-time. It gave me more than a job—it gave me freedom and purpose. We say we grow more than grass; we grow people.
My husband always says, “the grass is greener where you water it.” That’s our philosophy. We invest in people—paying above a livable wage, building relationships that last, and showing that care for the land begins with care for one another.
Our workforce programs focus on three groups: veterans, through partnerships with HVAF; students, through programs at Ben Davis Area 31 Career Center; and individuals with disabilities, including my sister, who has Down syndrome. We give opportunities to those often overlooked and help them build meaningful careers.
What I get out of this work is seeing people thrive—watching someone go from overlooked to proud, knowing they’re building something real. It’s how I honor my parents and grow stronger communities every day.