With her competitive spirit and years spent as both a high school and college athlete, Lindsay Moser knew she wanted to mentor young adults and help them figure out who they want to become.

And it’s a passion that’s transitioned well throughout Moser’s career. 

Moser grew up in Ankeny. She played soccer, softball and volleyball in high school and continued to play volleyball at Iowa State University. As a student-athlete, Moser participated in life skills programming, some of which was focused on mentoring youths. 

Despite originally wanting to be a lawyer, Moser instead majored in psychology at Iowa State. While obtaining a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs, she worked as a student-athlete counselor and eventually became a life skills coordinator in the intercollegiate athletics department.

“I really wanted to be on campus,” she said. “I worked with students, ages 17 to 23, and for many, it was their first time away from home. They’re striving to find out who they are and where they want to be, and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Moser’s role at Iowa State transitioned her to her career at Principal. She started in 2005 as a member of the company’s campus recruiting team, maintaining university contacts as well as mentoring and coaching interns and recent graduates. More recently, Moser also began to lead the company’s diversity and inclusion efforts.

“I feel like I have the best of both worlds,” Moser said. “With diversity and what it brings to the table, I think I’m at my best when I can surround myself with others who think differently than I do.”

Outside of work and volunteering, Moser and her family still “live for sports,” especially Iowa State Cyclones athletics. She’s also loves to be creative.

“I love making personal cards,” Moser said. “I send handwritten notes to every new hire at Principal, or to congratulate someone on their promotion. I love seeing the results of doing something beginning to end.”

Reasons she’s a forty:

• She is a member of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Inclusion Council and Internship Task Force.
• She volunteers with the Drake University’s Women’s Advisory Group and STEM Pathways Initiative Project.
• She serves on the executive leadership team for the African-American/Black Employee Resource Group.
• She was a presenter at the 2014 Iowa State University College of Business’ Young Women in Business conference.