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Interested in helping others, Nancy Landrum’s first career was as a mental health therapist for troubled children and youth. As she pursued her master’s and doctoral degrees, however, her attention shifted to business. Her benevolent desire remained, and the tenets of corporate social responsibility and sustainability are now her life’s work.

As an Associate Professor of Management at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Landrum lectures and publishes material about sustainable business. Her words transcend the classroom, too, permeating into the community through her work with the Sustainable Business Network of Central Arkansas (SBNCA), which she co-founded in January 2010. The network supports the growth and development of a local sustainable business community through networking and mentoring. Additionally, Landrum serves on the Little Rock Sustainability Commission and chairs the Sustainable Economic Development & Green Jobs committee.

“Over the years, I have had many local business people speak to my classes…,” Landrum said. “It quickly became apparent that the sustainable business community was in its infancy; people didn’t know one another; they were not connecting or communicating; and individuals felt as if they were the only ones pursuing this path. It was my belief that businesses needed to come together, learn from one another, mentor one another and communicate.”

Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 1011 Web, Magna IV Color Imaging, Winrock International, Lighting & Power Solutions, Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, NAPCO, Williams & Anderson and Landrum’s own company, Sustainable Business Design Consulting, are among the charter members and supporters of the SBNCA, which many consider to be Little Rock’s own green chamber of commerce.

In its first year, the network secured a $25,000 New Futures for Youth building grant, hired an intern, established an office, applied for 501(c)(3) status and recruited 25 members. What’s followed includes four networking events and six workshops, an online searchable directory to help other companies, and a sustainable business certification program. “Of primary importance is to grow our membership and to help other businesses understand and incorporate sustainability practices into their daily operations.”

Back at school, Landrum chairs UALR’s Sustainability Committee. Through her involvement, the committee has conducted the campus-wide Campus Sustainability Assessment using the Sustainability Tracking & Rating System (STARS); published the “SustainUALR” report, which will serve as the basis for future work of the committee in improving campus sustainability; and joined the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

Landrum’s eco-expertise does help to pay the bills, too. Through her company, she exacts her influence on municipal governments, hospitals, universities, non-profits and small businesses seeking training and strategies for balancing economic, social and environmental goals. “Sustainability in business is about returning to old-fashioned business values: knowing your customers and neighbors, doing the right thing, and being accountable for your actions,” she said. “I believe businesses have a moral and ethical responsibility to operate in the most socially, environmentally and economically accountable manner.”