In 2007, Lipscomb University invited Dodd Galbreath to create the Institute for Sustainable Practice, the Southeast's first, comprehensive, academic sustainability program. Lipscomb's sustainability alumni now represent just about every imaginable discipline and serve in prominent roles at Rivian, Tesla, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Nissan, Toyota, Silicon Ranch Corporation, Pathway Lending, Tempur Pedic, the State of Tennessee, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, local governments, non-profits, and have created many innovative, business startups. Over his 41 year career, he has work in conservation and sustainability professions. He formed one of Tennessee's first corporate sustainability practices and later studied sustainability throughout the United States, China, and Europe in preparation for teaching sustainability to graduate students. Four Nashville mayors and three Tennessee governors from both political parties have also asked him to serve in various sustainability and regulatory leadership roles. He has received two statewide leadership awards, a governor's Lifetime Achievement Award, and recent recognition from the Nashville metro city council.