Eden Prairie, Minnesota (April 14, 2025) – Starkey is proud to announce that Chief Customer Officer Chris Van Guilder has been named one of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s 2025 40 Under 40 honorees. This prestigious recognition celebrates the Twin Cities’ most accomplished and influential young business leaders, highlighting Van Guilder’s remarkable career and continued impact at Starkey and beyond.
“Chris is the kind of leader every organization hopes to have—intelligent, adaptable, and driven by purpose,” said Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey. “His ability to navigate complex challenges while inspiring those around him is truly exceptional. Chris embodies the future of leadership – sharp, strategic, and deeply committed to the people around him. We are incredibly proud of this well-deserved honor.”
Van Guilder joined Starkey in 2013, following a successful career in politics. He quickly made an impression, first managing the global events team, then becoming Chief of Staff just two years later. Over the past decade, he has been at the heart of Starkey’s most critical initiatives, shaping global strategy, leading through transitions, and holding multiple leadership roles.
In 2023, Van Guilder was named Chief Customer Officer, where he now leads a global team of 145 customer service professionals. Under his leadership, Starkey has seen a 25% improvement in service levels and achieved a first-call resolution rate over 90%—more than 15% above the industry standard. His transformative leadership style and ability to connect across all levels of the organization have made him a highly respected and valued executive.
Outside of Starkey, Van Guilder is committed to making a difference in the community. He serves on the board of directors for Spare Key, a local nonprofit that provides financial support to families with a critically ill or seriously injured loved one. He and his wife also serve as youth mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters – Twin Cities, further reflecting their shared commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. His dedication to helping local families speaks to the same compassion and drive he brings to his professional work.
Chris Van Guilder’s 40 Under 40 recognition is a reflection not only of his exceptional leadership at Starkey but also of his unwavering dedication to creating meaningful impact—professionally and personally.
For more information about Starkey, please visit www.starkey.com.
About Starkey
Starkey is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded by Bill Austin in 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Led today by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, Starkey is the only American-owned provider of hearing technologies. The company has more than 5,000 employees, operates 29 facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide. Learn more at starkey.com.
