Empower hires Morningstar investment expert for new strategy role

Retirement services provider Empower has announced a new hire to lead on strategy for its asset management unit.

Marta Norton, CFA, joins Empower Investments as chief investment strategist with more than 20 years of industry experience, most recently as CIO for the Americas at Morningstar helping to oversee more than $57 billion in assets under management/advisement and directing the firm’s investment strategies.

In her new role, from June 17, Norton joins a unit managing around $188 billion AUM for retirement investors.

“Empower is a mission-oriented company aiming to provide financial freedom for all. I consider it a privilege to join this mission and am inspired by the company's client-oriented culture,” said Norton. “I look forward to working alongside the broader Empower team as we collectively serve the needs of investors, advisors and employers.”

The chief investment strategist role is a new one for Empower and Norton will provide macroeconomic and investing commentary, thought leadership and market analysis for the firm’s company base, financial advisor community, and investment and client teams.

“As Empower broadens its reach to investors, advisors and employers we have the duty to help explain how we see the markets and the macroeconomic trends that are essential to financial decision-making,” said Edmund F. Murphy, III, president and CEO for Empower, who recently shared insights on the firm’s expansion. “Marta is widely respected and brings the expertise and experience to help Empower’s stakeholders better understand the factors impacting markets.”

Prior to her most recent role at Morningstar, Norton was with LECG, LLC and also worked for the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington, DC, where she worked on various projects including the Producer Price Index.

RESPECTED COMMENTATOR

As a regulator and respected commentator on financial markets for the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Bloomberg, Norton will also provide public commentary in her Empower role.

“As a leading provider of investments to more than 18 million Americans, we must exceed the expectations of our clients and those who are seeking to engage with Empower. Part of the value we can provide is to offer expertise on the forces that drive the equity and fixed income markets and help investors make informed decisions that are advantageous to them,” said Jonathan Kreider, Executive Vice President, and Head of Empower Investments. “I am thrilled that Marta is coming to Empower to lead that effort.”