# Richard Wolfe

> Richard Wolfe, also known as Rich Wolfe, is the Houston-based co-founder and CEO of Empyrean. He helped establish the benefits administration technology and services business in 2006, became CEO in 2011 after serving as COO, and continued leading it after its 2019 acquisition by Securian Financial. His earlier career included implementation and operations roles at Hewitt, Synhrgy HR Technologies and Mercer.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO at Empyrean
- **Organizations:** Empyrean, Hewitt, Synhrgy HR Technologies, Mercer
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance and Economics, University of Pittsburgh
- **Known for:** Co-founded Empyrean in 2006 and has served as CEO since 2011., EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist for five consecutive years through 2019., Employee Benefit News Technology Innovator, 2017.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2006** — Held senior implementation and operations roles at Hewitt, Synhrgy HR Technologies and Mercer; precise dates are not established in the official biography.
- **2006** — Co-founded Empyrean; served as chief operating officer before becoming CEO.
- **2011** — Became CEO of Empyrean.
- **2013** — Empyrean announced a $41 million capital raise led by FTV Capital on March 12.
- **2016** — Recognized among Employee Benefit Adviser’s Top Benefit IT Power Players.
- **2017** — Recognized as an Employee Benefit News Technology Innovator; collaborated on Empyrean’s move following Hurricane Harvey.
- **2019** — Named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist for a fifth consecutive year; Empyrean joined Securian Financial in December.
- **2021** — Appointed Kelly Clark as chief information and technology officer.
- **2023** — Empyrean acquired Enspire and announced +YOU in February.
- **2026** — Continues to be listed as CEO and co-founder on Empyrean’s leadership page; company described Halo in August.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Empyrean in 2006 and has served as CEO since 2011.
- EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist for five consecutive years through 2019.
- Employee Benefit News Technology Innovator, 2017.
- Employee Benefit Adviser Top Benefit IT Power Player, 2016.
- Led Empyrean through its 2013 FTV-led financing and 2019 acquisition by Securian Financial.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Empyrean described Halo, an AI layer connecting employee guidance, service and administration; this is a company development during Wolfe’s continuing tenure.
- **2023-02** — Wolfe announced the Enspire acquisition and the integrated +YOU offering.

## Links

- Website: https://goempyrean.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-wolfe-2192a95

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/richard-wolfe
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23