EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA — Tani Austin, Vice Chair of Starkey and Co-Founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation, has been named a 2026 Herizon Award honoree by the Business Intelligence Group. The recognition acknowledges her contributions to expanding hearing healthcare access and supporting professional training initiatives in underserved communities around the world.
Over more than three decades, Austin has participated in international hearing healthcare initiatives that, according to Starkey, have helped more than one million people address hearing loss. Her work has focused on providing hearing technology while also supporting education, training, and the development of community-based hearing care services.
Expanding Hearing Healthcare Through Local Training
A significant component of Austin’s humanitarian work has been the development of training programs intended to strengthen hearing healthcare capacity in regions where access to qualified professionals remains limited.
Working alongside her husband, Starkey Founder and Chairman Bill Austin, she has supported the establishment of Starkey Hearing Institute programs in Zambia, the Philippines, and El Salvador. These programs are designed to prepare local hearing healthcare professionals to provide ongoing services within their communities.
The first Starkey Hearing Institute opened in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2016. Since then, the programs have graduated more than 200 students representing over 17 countries, according to the company.
The training model is intended to help address shortages of hearing healthcare professionals in underserved regions and support the continued availability of services beyond individual humanitarian outreach events.
“True impact is measured not only by the lives we touch today, but by what we make possible for generations to come. Tani has spent decades turning compassion into action, expanding access to hearing healthcare and empowering people and communities to change lives through service. Her vision has helped make hearing health a lasting part of Starkey’s purpose, and her influence reaches far beyond our company. This recognition reflects the extraordinary difference she continues to make around the world.”
–Brandon Sawalich, President and Chief Executive Officer of Starkey
Humanitarian Leadership and International Partnerships
In addition to her work with Starkey Hearing Foundation, Austin has supported philanthropic initiatives and partnerships involving organizations such as Special Olympics and UNICEF.
Her humanitarian involvement also extends beyond hearing healthcare. She serves on the board of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Rocket Fund, supporting efforts related to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care.
As Starkey’s Vice Chair, Austin has also been involved in initiatives emphasizing corporate philanthropy, volunteerism, and community service.
The Herizon Awards, presented by the Business Intelligence Group, recognize women whose leadership and innovation have contributed to changes within organizations, industries, and communities. Austin’s selection as a 2026 honoree highlights her longstanding involvement in international hearing healthcare outreach and efforts to expand local professional training.
About Starkey
Starkey is a global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded by Bill Austin in 1967 and currently led by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, the company develops hearing aids and related technologies, including AI-enabled hearing solutions.
Starkey is an American-owned hearing aid manufacturer with more than 5,000 employees across 29 facilities and products distributed in more than 100 markets worldwide. Additional information is available at www.starkey.com.
Source: Starkey
