Susan Galbreath named Nashville Woman of Influence for 2008

Janel Shoun | 

Susan Galbreath, associate dean of the College of Business and assistant to the president, was named a 2008 Women of Influence by the Nashville Business Journal on March 14.
Galbreath has just completed her second stint as interim dean of the College of Business, the first woman to serve in that capacity. She also is the first woman to serve as special assistant to the president and be on Lipscomb’s leadership team.

Galbreath joined the 29 other Women of Influence at a banquet in her honor on April 11, and the Journal distributed profiles of all the women on April 18.

Galbreath, who was honored in the “Behind the Scenes” category, joins a stellar set of women, including executives from Nissan North America, Gaylord Opryland, Deloitte & touché and Bass Berry & Sims. Women leaders from non-profits such as the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee, Conexion Americas and United Way of Williamson County were also honored.

This is the second year the Nashville Business Journal has named Women of Influence. Lipscomb’s Charla Long , director of the Institute for Law, Justice & Society, was named as a 2007 Woman of Influence.

“The theme here is one that’s unifying and inclusive and one smart leaders have always understood – that influence comes from within the people who wield it and transcends the physical, the superficial and the mundane,” wrote Scott Takac, assistant managing editor at the Nashville Business Journal.

"Featured… are 30 women who landed at the top of a long list of accomplished nominees. These winners’ accomplishments, passion, perseverance and compassion for the people around them set them apart as our Class of 2008 Women of Influence.”


Lipscomb's 2008 Woman of Influence: Susan Galbreath
(As printed in the Nashville Business Journal special publication "Women of Influence.")

Note: Since this article was written, Galbreath has handed the reins of the College of Business over to new dean Turney Stevens on April 1. In addition, Charla Long is now the director of the Institute for Law, Justice & Society.

Susan Galbreath: Behind the Scenes
By Linda Bryant
Nashville Business Journal
Susan Galbreath is blazing a trail in academia.

As interim dean of Lipscomb University’s fast-growing College of Business, Galbreath’s efforts led to the university adding a master’s of business administration program in 2007.

She has accomplished at least three firsts. She is the first woman on the university’s senior leadership team, the first presidential faculty fellow and the first woman dean of the College of Business.

Galbreath also has another title at the school – assistant to the president.

In that role, she works closely with President Randy Lowry and helps implement and monitor strategic initiatives that improve Lipscomb’s academic reputation and relationships in the wider community.

“Susan is the kind of person who tirelessly works behind the scenes to make sure others look great,” says Charla Long, chairwoman of Lipscomb’s department of management.

“She planned and orchestrated many significant events for the university in an effort to help the institution reconnect with the business community,” Long says.

One of those programs, Leadership Lipscomb, has brought more than 60 community leaders to the Lipscomb campus to talk to students about their life stories.

“This program helps Lipscomb create stronger relationships with the Nashville community,” Galbreath says. “It’s great for our students to sit at the feet of great leaders.”

Participants have included Cal Turner, former CEO of Dollar General; Jim Houser, CEO of St. Thomas Health Services; and Mark Ezell, CEO of Purity Dairies.

Galbreath is also responsible for the financial well-being of the business school, the academic curriculum and personnel issues.

Her position on the senior leadership team means she’s at the table making strategic decisions.

Galbreath, who has a Ph.D. in accounting with an emphasis on cognitive psychology, says she still loves teaching.

“I try to balance my love of education and research with my newfound love for administration,” she says.

Although she’s modest about being the first woman to serve in three key leadership positions at the school, Galbreath says she hopes the breakthrough helps other women in their careers.

“I do think anytime there’s a first, it’s significant,” Galbreath says. “I think it opens the path for others.”