Shelly Maynard-DeWolf, JD

Shelly Maynard-DeWolf, JD, is a seasoned enterprise operations executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning wealth management, retirement services, insurance, healthcare, and financial services. As Vice President of Participant Transactions at Empower, she oversees the global processing of outgoing retirement and savings account transactions, leading highly regulated, high-volume operations that serve more than 19 million participants. Recognized for her ability to transform complex business strategies into scalable operational excellence, Shelly has built a career centered on continuous improvement, risk management, leadership development, and delivering exceptional customer outcomes. Her expertise is further strengthened by her FINRA Series 6 and 26 licenses, as well as completion of the Stanford AI Academy, reflecting her commitment to innovation and future-focused leadership.

Shelly's professional journey began in local government with the City of Springfield after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Chemistry from Assumption University. While working full-time, she attended evening classes and earned her Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law in 2005, demonstrating remarkable dedication and perseverance. She later spent more than a decade at MassMutual, where she held leadership roles across project management, IT operations, strategy, corporate development, and continuous improvement. She expanded her executive experience at Aetna and Prudential before joining Empower, where she has spent the past four years leading global participant transaction operations. Throughout her career, she has become known for her transparent, respectful, and people-centered leadership style, emphasizing strategic execution while developing high-performing teams.

Beyond her executive responsibilities, Shelly is a passionate advocate for women's leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She proudly leads Empower's Women's Empowerment Network, dedicating significant effort to mentoring, supporting, and creating opportunities for women across the organization. Her commitment to service extends into her community, where she made history by becoming the first female Select Board member in her town after recognizing the absence of women in local government and successfully running for public office. She also supports organizations including Planned Parenthood, Dress for Success, and The Gray House in Springfield, reflecting her belief in empowering individuals both professionally and personally. Outside of work, Shelly enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, reading, and making lasting memories with her family, balancing an accomplished executive career with a strong commitment to community, leadership, and lifelong learning.