Empower Names Taft-Hartley Business EVP

Empower has promoted Marybeth Daubenspeck to executive vice president of government and Taft-Hartley businesses at the organization, the company announced this week.  

The government and Taft-Hartley businesses serve public sector employees and trade union retirement plans— including teachers, first responders, public employees, and skilled trade professionals across the country. 

Empower’s government and Taft-Hartley businesses encompass service to roughly 14,400 retirement plans; 7,590 clients; and approximately six million plan participants. Assets under administration (AUA) are approximately $403 billion as of March 31, 2026.

“Marybeth will be responsible for advancing Empower’s growth strategy, strengthening client relationships, and continuing to deliver exceptional service and value across these segments,” said Joe Smolen, president of Workplace Solutions at Empower. “She has a natural aptitude for leadership and her experience supporting our customers has always gone above and beyond. I’m confident she will help drive these businesses forward while supporting the financial futures of those we serve.”

Daubenspeck will report to Smolen and has recently assumed the new role. 

“The growth and success we’ve achieved across these unique segments make this new opportunity particularly exciting and rewarding,” said Daubenspeck. “Helping the individuals who serve our communities has been something I’ve been very proud of. When they succeed, we succeed—and that will continue be our focus.”

A native of Long Island, New York, Daubenspeck joined Empower as a legal secretary at age 19 and, with this appointment, takes on leadership of one of the company’s biggest and most expansive units.

“In so many ways, Marybeth represents the best of Empower. She’s absolutely devoted to her clients and the people she works with. What more could you ask for in a leader?” said Smolen. “I cannot be more excited to see her take the reins of this important segment and do even more for these deserving clients.”

Daubenspeck has held many positions during her tenure at Empower, most recently as vice president of Government Markets, where she led a $120B assets under administration (AUA) portfolio and drove strategic growth, client retention, operational performance, and organizational transformation initiatives. Prior to that, she served as vice president of Institutional Markets, where she was responsible for business performance, client acquisition and retention, contract governance, and long-term strategic growth initiatives.