About Colonel Eileen M. Collins
The first woman to pilot and command an American spacecraft, astronaut Eileen Collins has led an inspiring life of adventure, leadership, and achievement. A female trailblazer, Collins was named an astronaut by NASA in 1990. She quickly went on to become the first female pilot on a space shuttle with the Discovery flight in 1995, and the first female commander on the 1999 Columbia flight. The Columbia mission sparked keen interest among women and landed Collins in the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York.
For her final mission she commanded Space Shuttle Discovery’s historic “Return to Flight.” This was NASA's first manned flight following the February 2003 loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia. During her NASA career, Eileen Collins was known for her calmness and cool demeanor under pressure, and logged 872 hours in space. One of America's most admired women and an incredible motivational speaker, Collins shares her extraordinary experiences as a test pilot, astronaut, and space flight commander with audiences around the world.
What you will learn from leadership speaker Eileen Collins:
- How she conquered obstacles to make history as the first female space shuttle pilot.
- What it takes to successfully lead a mission and instill the principles of teamwork in any crew.
- What it takes to break barriers in a high-pressure situation.
Eileen Collins is a class act, and she held our male, jaded audience in the palm of her hand, spellbound. A spectacular success! ”
- MACS Worldwide
Colonel Eileen M. Collins's Speech Topic(s)
- Leadership Lessons from Apollo to Discovery
As a highly sought-after diversity speaker, astronaut Eileen Collins discusses the leadership and personal qualities necessary for success. She shares how her career as an astronaut took shape, from her early years in the Air Force, to becoming the first woman to command a shuttle mission. She includes projections on the future of NASA and its ability to focus on exciting new space ventures. Collins discusses key factors for successful leadership, focusing on dealing with people and mistakes, safety, and creative management. Her inspirational story, which shows that success is the result of a team effort, motivates and resonates with audiences regardless of their profession.
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fees are subject to change without notice. For the most up to date information, please contact your
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