ABOUT

Dave Sanderson

Dave Sanderson was the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549, the Miracle on the Hudson. He survived, then he made a decision: he wouldn’t let that moment be the end of the story.

With 38 years as a top sales producer and decades of experience leading under pressure, Dave founded Resilience Partners Group to help leaders and teams navigate crisis, uncertainty, and high-stakes change—without waiting for permission, perfect clarity, or a title. His work equips people to stay calm, make high-velocity decisions, and take the next best step even when the full path isn’t visible.

Dave has delivered keynotes for Fortune 500 organizations, coached executives, and helped raise $14.8 million for the American Red Cross. Named one of Inc.com’s Top 100 Leadership Speakers, he is known for blending unforgettable storytelling with practical, immediately applicable tools.

Dave’s message is simple: You don’t need a title to lead. You need clarity, courage, and conviction.

He lives in Charlotte with his family—and speaks today with one goal: to help others lead when it matters most.

Speaker Story Bank: Dave Sanderson and Lea Woodford

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with both Mirjana Novkovic, the Founder of Speaker Story Bank and Lea Woodford, the CEO of SmartFem Media Group on the challenges of being a speaker in today's crowded marketplace. We discussed the importance of a speaker understanding the importance of bringing something different to the stage every time and the key attributes needed to now stand out in a sea of sameness. Speakers naturally come from a place of passion, but in today's world it's crucial to remember your audience, what they need and what they can ultimately take away with them.

TEDx talk, Bouncing Back

In his TEDx talk, Bouncing Back, Dave shares strategies on how to grow from your own “personal plane crash”, in order to thrive, a new area of research that AARP profiled Dave on, known as PTGS (Post Traumatic Growth Syndrome).

Dave has spoken at countless fundraisers that have raised millions for the American Red Cross

He continues to donate his speaker services to the organization as an expression of gratitude for the care he received from the first person he saw after he was rescued and transferred to land in New Jersey: A Red Cross volunteer with a blanket.