Tani Austin, Delta Zeta Alumna and Co-Founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation, Honored as 2024 Distinguished Delta Zeta Global Ambassador and Philanthropist

Oxford, Ohio – Delta Zeta has named alumna Tani Austin, Alpha-Miami (OH), as the 2024 Delta Zeta Distinguished Global Ambassador and Philanthropist at the inaugural Ignite the Flame Community and Philanthropy Summit, held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 23-24, 2024. Tani is Co-Founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals around the world by providing the gift of hearing. This recognition acknowledges her lifelong commitment to advancing hearing healthcare and community philanthropy.

“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, Delta Zeta Sorority National President. “It is an honor to recognize Tani’s global influence and her enduring impact on communities around the world. 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.”

Delta Zeta’s partnership with Starkey Hearing Foundation began in 2006. Since then, Delta Zeta has donated over seven million dollars to Starkey Hearing Foundation, which is recognized as the world’s largest hearing healthcare charity, which has established scalable and sustainable hearing healthcare systems in over 70 countries.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by Delta Zeta Sorority for my leadership in philanthropy,” said Tani Austin, Co-founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation and Vice Chair of Starkey. “It’s my life’s 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. My goal is a fire is lit within each Delta Zeta woman so they experience the power of philanthropy and the impact we can make when we unite for good.”

One of the most notable achievements under Tani’s servant leadership as co-founder includes the opening of Starkey Hearing Institute in Zambia. This institute 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.

About Delta Zeta: 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 members in the United States and Canada. The Delta Zeta Foundation, a non-profit organization, makes possible gifts and support for scholarships, leadership, philanthropy and education. The Delta Zeta National Housing Corporation provides safe housing and chapter facilities for more than 2,000 collegiate students on more than 70 campuses. Learn more about our mission at deltazeta.org. For more information about the Delta Zeta Foundation, visit deltazeta.org/foundation.  

About Starkey Hearing Foundation: Starkey Hearing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity, provides 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.