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Starkey's Karen Spaeth Honored with MSP Business Journal 2026 Women in Business Award

A dispatch from Hearing Tracker — filed

Woman in a black blazer smiling and holding a glass trophy at an awards ceremony, with a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Women in Business 2026 banner visible behind her.
✦ PlateWoman in a black blazer smiling and holding a glass trophy at an awards ceremony, with a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Women in Business 2026 banner visible behind her.

Karen Spaeth. EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN — Starkey announced that Chief Marketing Officer Karen Spaeth has been recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a 2026 Women in Business honoree, recognizing influential female leaders for their professional accomplishments as well as civic engagement across the Twin Cities community....

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Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

No actionable change to clinical practice; this is a business community recognition announcement.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Recognition of senior women leaders at major hearing aid manufacturers highlights the growing influence of women in audiology industry leadership, which may signal evolving corporate culture at key companies.

✦ Key Points ✦
  1. 01Karen Spaeth of Starkey honored with the MSP Business Journal 2026 Women in Business Award.
  2. 02Award is presented by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, not an audiology-specific body.
  3. 03Starkey is one of the largest US-based hearing aid manufacturers.
  4. 04No product or clinical announcements accompany this news.
  5. 05Award reflects business leadership rather than clinical or research achievement.
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