In a world where global reach and technological flexibility are paramount, Principal Financial Group stands firm in its commitment to its Iowa roots, President and CEO Deanna Strable told the Business Record in a recent interview.

She said Des Moines remains the heart of Principal’s operations, even as the company expands its global footprint.

“We’re committed to having a vibrant community of workers here,” Strable said. “We think Des Moines is a great place to attract and retain talent, and ultimately, it’s served us well in being able to serve our customers well.”

With nearly 20,000 employees worldwide, a majority of Principal’s U.S. workforce live in the Des Moines area, solidifying its status as the company’s global headquarters. “If you look within the U.S., Des Moines is still our global headquarters, and from a U.S. employee base, the majority is still sitting here in Central Iowa and in Des Moines,” Strable said.

However, Strable acknowledged that technology allows for greater flexibility in attracting and engaging talent. Principal’s strategic hubs in New York, Charlotte, N.C., and London play a vital role in this evolving strategy, serving as magnets for specialized skills and fostering enterprise-wide collaboration, she said.

“Technology does afford you the opportunity to be more flexible around where you attract your talent and how you’re thinking about working with them,” she said.

These hubs, once primarily business-centric, are now seen as integral components of a broader talent network. Strable shared that her vision is to create a seamless connection between Des Moines and these key locations, ensuring that Principal’s core values and culture remain consistent across the enterprise.

“Des Moines will continue to be our world headquarters,” she said. “We’ll continue to have other hubs where we attract and retain, but ultimately we remain very committed to the Des Moines community.”