PALM COAST, Fla. – On February 19, members of the Flagler Tiger Bay Club welcomed February 2026 luncheon speaker Dave Sanderson, a survivor of the “Miracle on the Hudson,” the 2009 crash landing of US Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson River.
Sanderson shared his harrowing experience as a passenger aboard the flight, but his message extended far beyond survival. His central theme was leadership without title.
“You don’t have to have a title to lead,” Sanderson said. “Especially with these young folks that are here today, that’s the message I really want to get through. You don’t have to have a title to lead.”
A Paradigm Shift
When asked how an event that could have been life-ending became life-changing, Sanderson reflected deeply on faith and purpose.
“I really realized I have a different pathway. God gave me a different pathway to go, and I chose to take it,” he said. “I was very successful in sales. I knew there was something bigger. This opened up that opportunity.”
Today, Sanderson speaks nationally about resilience and growth after trauma, including in his TED Talk on what he calls “PTGS — Post Traumatic Growth Syndrome.”
His philosophy is simple but powerful.
“I think everybody’s going to have their own personal plane crash in their life. No one gets through life without something happening. It’s how you bounce back,” he shared.
He emphasized the importance of awareness — a lesson forged in crisis. Responding to a member who expressed fear of flying, he offered practical advice, “Awareness is probably the biggest thing… You better know where the exits are… have a game plan before you even get on that plane.”
Give with Gratitude
Throughout the Q&A, emceed by Flagler Tiger Bay Club First Vice President Marc Dwyer, Sanderson highlighted mentoring, raising standards, and paying it forward.
Drawing from his work with organizations like the American Red Cross, he shared, “You have to give first. I’ve gotten it back tenfold. It may not have been financially, but the relationships I get to build — it comes back to you,” he said.
He spoke candidly about the profound impact the crash had on his wife and four children — from media attention at the emergency room to his young daughter’s fear each time he traveled again.
“I committed that day, I would never miss one of my children’s events ever again,” he said. “That changed the entire dynamic of our family.”
Sanderson’s message resonated strongly with the club’s mission of informed leadership and civic engagement. After the luncheon, he spent time with the organization’s Young Tigers, reinforcing his belief that leadership begins with personal responsibility and courage.
Every day, he said, begins the same way.
“Every day above water is a great day. That’s how I start my day — with gratitude.”
From tragedy emerged clarity, purpose, and a renewed devotion to faith, family, and service — a message that left Flagler Tiger Bay members inspired to lead, with or without a title.
Sanderson sold out autographed copies of his book, “Moments Matter” while visiting with the Flagler Tiger Bay Club.
