EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (May 18, 2026) — 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.
As Chief Marketing Officer, Spaeth leads Starkey’s global marketing team in executing impactful product launches, elevating the company’s position as the industry leader in technology, and strengthening brand awareness across both professional and consumer channels. Her expertise in brand and relationship management continues to advance Starkey’s customer-first marketing strategy and long-term vision.
“Karen is a transformational leader whose vision, creativity, and relentless pursuit of excellence have helped propel Starkey into a new era of growth and industry leadership,” said Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey. “She has an exceptional ability to connect our innovation to meaningful human impact, elevating our brand, strengthening our customer relationships, and showcasing the life-changing power of hearing technology around the world. This recognition is a reflection of the tremendous impact Karen continues to make on Starkey, our industry, and the communities we serve.”
Over her 16-year tenure with the company, Spaeth has held numerous leadership roles across Events, Communications, and Customer Experience, each with an expanding scope. Her success in these roles ultimately led to her promotion to Chief Marketing Officer in 2023.
Most recently, Spaeth led the global marketing strategy for Omega AI, Starkey’s most successful product launch in its more than 60-year history. Introduced in October 2025, Omega AI quickly became Starkey’s best-selling product ever and helped drive a record year for the company, contributing to a 39% increase in revenue compared to the previous year.
In addition to leading Starkey’s commercial marketing strategy across 29 countries, Spaeth oversees retail marketing initiatives that provide customers with exclusive marketing support designed to generate new business and connect more patients to hearing care. Her leadership has helped drive sustained growth, strengthen Starkey’s industry leadership, and secure earned media placements in notable outlets including Fortune, Forbes, and Entrepreneur.
Beyond her professional achievements, Spaeth is deeply committed to community involvement and philanthropy. She serves on the boards of Spare Key, the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, and Wired, while also supporting organizations including GiGi’s Playhouse and The Bond Between.
Spaeth was recently recognized alongside fellow honorees at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Women in Business awards luncheon.
