Tani Austin, center, receives her award from Delta Zeta Sorority Chief Executive Officer Cindy Menges, left, and Delta Zeta National President Cathy Painter, right. Submitted photo
Delta Zeta Sorority has named Tani Austin, co-founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation and vice chair of Starkey, as the 2024 Delta Zeta Distinguished Global Ambassador and Philanthropist.
Austin, an alumna of the sorority’s Alpha Chapter at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, received the award in recognition of her lifelong commitment to advancing hearing healthcare and community philanthropy. It was presented at the inaugural Ignite the Flame Community and Philanthropy Summit, held in Minneapolis on Aug. 23-24.
The sorority cited the opening of Starkey Hearing Institute in Zambia as one of the most notable achievements under Austin’s leadership as co-founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation. This institute addresses the growing need for hearing healthcare professionals in Africa by offering year-long accredited education and hands-on training.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized by Delta Zeta Sorority for my leadership in philanthropy,” said Austin. “It’s my life purpose to reconnect people so the world may hear. This award highlights that commitment I, and many others, have made to bring the gift of hearing to the world.”
Delta Zeta’s partnership with Starkey Hearing Foundation began in 2006. Since then, Delta Zeta has donated over $7 million to Starkey Hearing Foundation, which is recognized as the world’s largest hearing healthcare charity. Starkey Hearing Foundation states that it has established scalable and sustainable hearing healthcare systems in over 70 countries.
“With a heart for service and a vision for global change, Tani has been the driving force behind the Starkey foundation’s mission to bring hearing healthcare to underserved communities,” said Cathy Painter, national president of Delta Zeta Sorority. “Her leadership and compassion have helped the foundation serve over a million people in need, making a profound impact on their lives. Her unwavering commitment to humanitarian work has earned her recognition as a global advocate for hearing health and a true champion for those with hearing loss.”