Faith & Family Guide Greene Thumb Landscape’s Next Chapter
October is Women in Business Month, and in Fishers, one leader is showing how faith, family and determination can reshape an entire industry. When Kirsten Davenport-Norwood stepped into leadership at Greene Thumb Landscape, it wasn’t part of her plan — but it became her calling.
Her mother passed away suddenly, and with that loss came the responsibility of becoming a caregiver to her sister Kia, who has special needs, and a life-altering choice: continue on her corporate trajectory or step in to preserve the family business her father, Ron Davenport, had built with blood, sweat and tears.
“There was no binder with tabs showing how this transition would happen,” Kirsten says. “Do I take on the company and maintain the dream my father poured into every day? Or do I walk away?”
She bravely chose to carry on the legacy — a decision that would shape her future and the future of Greene Thumb.
For Kirsten, Greene Thumb was not just a business but part of her upbringing, a journey that unknowingly prepared her for this role. Now, she sees God’s hand in the path, a personal connection that adds depth to her leadership journey, demonstrating her profound commitment and passion for the company.
In 2022, following her mother’s passing, Kirsten assumed leadership. She soon realized her calling was carrying forward her father’s vision of creating generational wealth and opportunity through entrepreneurship. Her husband, Darius Norwood, joined the venture, bringing operational focus while Kirsten carried the emotional weight of preserving her father’s dream.
Kirsten’s faith in God serves as the compass for Greene Thumb. One of the best pieces of advice she’s ever received came from her pastor, Dr. Darryn Scheske of Heartland Church: “This business isn’t yours. It’s the vehicle God has entrusted you with to further His Kingdom, and you are the pastor over it.”
That perspective transformed her view of leadership. Greene Thumb isn’t just a company — it’s a calling. Every decision, from hiring to client relationships to finances, is filtered through faith. It reminds Kirsten that provision doesn’t come from contracts alone but from God.
She leads with integrity, prioritizing people over profit, and treats employees and clients as part of the “congregation” she has been entrusted to lead.
Ultimately, Greene Thumb is her ministry.
“My job is to steward it faithfully, making sure the work we do honors God and serves people well,” Kirsten says.
Greene Thumb’s guiding principle, “Leave it greener than we found it,” isn’t just a motto. It’s a commitment to leave a positive impact on everything they touch, from lawns and landscapes to people, communities and the relationships they form.
Hiring decisions reflect this mission.
Unlike many landscaping companies that hire only for laborers, Greene Thumb hires for values — integrity, excellence, development and safety. Skills can be taught, but values endure. In making these hiring decisions, Kirsten and Darius have built a workforce that is majority-minority, including veterans, women and neurodiverse employees.
Partnerships with organizations like Helping Veterans and Families, as well as Ben Davis High School’s horticulture program, help build long-term talent pipelines.
“When people see that you’re willing to invest in them, they’re more likely to stay,” Kirsten says. “And if they don’t stay with us, at least we’ve helped propel them into their next calling.”
For Kirsten, “leave it greener than we found it” is more than a tagline — it’s a way of life and a leadership principle. But greener also means community growth. Greene Thumb focuses on hiring locally, creating opportunities for veterans, individuals with disabilities and other underrepresented groups. They mentor young people who may not have considered landscaping as a career, restoring dignity and pride not only in the landscapes they touch but in the lives they impact.
As a Black woman leading in a male-dominated industry, Kirsten has faced subtle but persistent barriers. Too often, people overlook women in leadership or assume landscaping must be led by men. Together with her husband and business partner, Darius, Kirsten has pushed through those assumptions to prove that leadership is about vision, faith and results — not stereotypes. She has used these experiences to inspire change and pave the way for greater acceptance of women.
She sees her unique perspective as both a challenge and an opportunity, breaking norms and paving the way for greater acceptance of women — and especially women of color — in landscaping and construction.
The commitment to “leave it greener” extends beyond business. Greene Thumb invests in Indianapolis neighborhoods, particularly underserved areas where parks and green spaces often lack funding. Projects like Tarkington Park and Grassy Creek show that commitment.
“We under-promise and over-deliver,” Darius adds. “If we’re hired just to mow, but we see trash, our team picks it up. If there are extra weeds, we pull them. That’s the mentality we want to instill.”
For Darius, this work is deeply personal. Growing up in a low-income area, he understands firsthand how safe, well-maintained environments shape lives.
“We want to be part of ensuring disadvantaged communities don’t get overlooked,” he says.
In addition to its core commercial landscaping services, Greene Thumb is branching out with seasonal and specialty offerings designed to bring more beauty to both businesses and homes:
- Pumpkin Thumb – Fall décor packages that transform entrances, patios and storefronts with custom seasonal displays.
- Christmas Lights – Professional holiday lighting to brighten neighborhoods, retail centers and workplaces.
- Outdoor Makeovers & Lawn Health – From colorful plantings and flower beds to fertilization and weed control, Greene Thumb helps properties stay vibrant and healthy year-round.
These services give us a chance to be creative while still staying rooted in our mission to leave everything greener,” Kirsten explains. “Whether it’s a corporate campus, a local church, or a family home, we want to create spaces that feel vibrant and welcoming.
“Everyone doesn’t get the chance to own a business, let alone carry one through generations,” Kirsten adds. “I’ve been given that opportunity, and I don’t want to waste it.”
For her, stepping into leadership at Greene Thumb was more than a career choice — it was a calling. It’s a chance to grow her family’s legacy, invest in her community and shape the future of the industry itself.
For more information, visit greenethumbup.com.
