Delta Zeta Sorority Holds Inaugural Tani Austin Ignite the Flame Community & Philanthropy Summit for Collegiate Chapters

More than 160 collegiate and alumnae members gathered to learn more about the organization’s philanthropic endeavors and inspire action in local communities

Oxford, Ohio – Philanthropy leaders from more than 160 chapters on college campuses around the United States and Canada attended Delta Zeta Sorority’s inaugural Tani Austin Ignite the Flame Community & Philanthropy Summit at the Starkey World Headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, on August 24, 2024.

“One of Delta Zeta’s key strategic priorities is to impact communities through philanthropy, service, education and connection on a global scale,” said Cathy Painter, Delta Zeta Sorority National President. “Delta Zeta members have an opportunity to make an impact in their local communities and around the world in partnership with our philanthropic partners. Our purpose of this summit was to inspire our members on the many ways they can make an impact and share the impact that Delta Zeta is having around the world.”

Delta Zeta has supported hearing and speech initiatives for more than 70 years. Since 2006, Delta Zeta has partnered with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, the world’s largest hearing healthcare charity, which has established scalable and sustainable hearing healthcare systems in over 70 countries. Through our Heart for Hearing program and events, Delta Zeta has raised over $7.3 million dollars to support the work of the Starkey Hearing Foundation “So the World May Hear.”

In partnership with Starkey, Delta Zeta has helped contribute to the Starkey Hearing Institute in Lusaka, Zambia, which addresses the growing need for hearing healthcare professionals in Africa by offering year-long accredited education and hands-on training. Delta Zeta continues to partner with the Starkey Hearing Institute, and the Student Center on the Institute’s Zambia campus is named in honor of all the Delta Zetas who have given graciously to support this hearing health.

Tani Austin, a Delta Zeta member, event namesake and sponsor, is the Co-Founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation and Vice Chair of Starkey and is the driving force behind the Starkey Foundation’s mission to bring hearing healthcare to underserved communities around the world.

“Our partnership with Starkey demonstrates a shared passion to change lives and impact community through better hearing,” added Cathy Painter. “We are very proud to be one of the hands of many to deliver over a million hearing aids to people, making a profound impact on their lives.”

In addition to Delta Zeta’s partnership with Starkey Hearing Foundation, Delta Zeta partners with SeriousFun Network and American Society for Deaf Children. Each year, Delta Zeta members donate on average more than 250,000 service hours and $1.3 million to fund a variety of philanthropic initiatives around the world.

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About Delta Zeta Sorority:

Delta Zeta Sorority is a global women’s organization whose shared values support a vision to truly inspire action and impact lives through leadership, service and philanthropy. Founded on Miami University’s campus in Oxford, Ohio in 1902, the Sorority has more than 300,000 alumnae and collegiate members in the United States and Canada. Learn more at www.deltazeta.org.

For more information, please contact Cindy Menges, Chief Executive Officer, at [email protected].

About Starkey Hearing Foundation:

Starkey Hearing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity, is dedicated to providing hearing healthcare to underserved communities around the world. With a mission to deliver the gift of hearing to those in need, the Foundation has made significant strides in over 100 countries, enhancing lives through its innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions.

About Starkey:

Starkey is a global leader in the hearing aid industry, committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss through cutting-edge technology and personalized care.