Vallie Collins

Vallie Smith Collins was a passenger on US Airways Flight 1549 that landed in New York’s Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009. She will share the details of her experience during the flight and rescue of the event that has become known as the Miracle on the Hudson. In addition, she will share key lessons from the experience that will hopefully inspire and motivate all to treasure each and every day because “Every day is a lucky day!”

Collins resides in Maryville, Tennessee, with her husband and three children. She is a member of Maryville First Baptist Church. She serves on the board of Love One International, the Maryville City Schools Foundation, and Blount County Young Life Committee. She is a Maryville Junior Service League Sustainer, former Board Chair for A Secret Safe Place for Newborns of Tennessee, and an alumna of Leadership Blount. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. For over nineteen years she was employed in medical device and consumer products industry. Interests and hobbies include tennis, strength training, and spending time with family and friends.