Principal Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Principal has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, marketing, finance, and technology.

Driven by a commitment to financial security, Principal delivers comprehensive retirement solutions, asset management, and insurance products, impacting businesses and individuals globally.

Leadership Roles at Principal

  • Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer - Deanna Strable-Soethout
  • Chief Financial Officer, Pfn & Psi - Dawn Roberts
  • Head Chief Financial Officer, Phillipines Enterprise Finance, Actuarial & Financial Planning & Analysis Finance Transformation (Gcc, India) - Reetesh Gupta
  • Chief Financial Officer, Benefits & Protection - Brian Kiel
  • Chief Financial Officer, Retirement & Income Solutions Division - Louis Flori
  • Chief Operating Officer (Brazil) - Nelson Katz
  • Chief Operating Officer & Securities Principal - Julie Leclere
  • Executive VP & Chief Marketing Officer - Bethany Wood
  • Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer - Lisa Coulson
  • Chief Information Officer, Principal Asset Management - David Tabora
  • Deanna Strable-Soethout - Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer

    Deanna Strable-Soethout, the Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer at Principal, directs the overarching strategy and operational execution for the global financial services organization. This leadership role involves setting the company's strategic vision, driving growth across all business segments, and ensuring the delivery of retirement solutions, asset management, and insurance products to a diverse client base. Strable-Soethout oversees the integration of various business units, including retirement and income solutions, global investment management, international financial services, and U.S. insurance offerings, to foster synergistic growth and market leadership. The Chief Executive Officer's responsibilities extend to maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, including investors, regulators, and employees, while championing the company's mission of supporting long-term financial security and risk management for clients worldwide. By guiding the executive team, Deanna Strable-Soethout ensures that Principal remains at the forefront of financial innovation and client service.
    Deanna Strable-Soethout

    Dawn Roberts - Chief Financial Officer, Pfn & Psi

    Dawn Roberts, the Chief Financial Officer, Pfn & Psi at Principal, oversees the financial health and strategic fiscal planning for specific divisions, including Principal Financial Network (PFN) and Principal Securities, Inc. (PSI). This critical role involves managing financial operations, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting to ensure the profitability and stability of these key business units. Roberts directs financial strategies that support the delivery of retirement solutions, asset management, and insurance products offered by PFN and PSI. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities include analyzing financial performance, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring compliance with all financial regulations pertinent to these entities. Dawn Roberts plays a vital part in the company's overall financial management, contributing to Principal's mission of providing long-term financial security and risk management through sound fiscal stewardship.

    Reetesh Gupta - Head Chief Financial Officer, Phillipines Enterprise Finance, Actuarial & Financial Planning & Analysis Finance Transformation (Gcc, India)

    Reetesh Gupta, the Head Chief Financial Officer, Phillipines Enterprise Finance, Actuarial & Financial Planning & Analysis Finance Transformation (Gcc, India) at Principal, directs financial operations and strategic planning for key international entities, including the Philippines, GCC, and India. This comprehensive role encompasses enterprise finance, actuarial functions, and finance transformation initiatives, ensuring robust financial management across diverse markets. Gupta oversees the financial performance and reporting for these regions, supporting the delivery of retirement solutions, asset management, and insurance products tailored to local client needs. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities include driving financial planning and analysis, optimizing financial processes, and implementing transformative strategies to enhance efficiency and profitability. Reetesh Gupta's leadership ensures financial discipline and strategic alignment, contributing to Principal's global growth and its commitment to long-term financial security for clients worldwide.

    Brian Kiel - Chief Financial Officer, Benefits & Protection

    Brian Kiel, the Chief Financial Officer, Benefits & Protection at Principal, leads the financial strategy and oversight for the company's benefits and protection insurance offerings. This role is crucial for ensuring the financial viability and profitability of these product lines, which include life and disability insurance. Kiel manages budgeting, financial planning, and performance analysis specifically for the Benefits & Protection segment, aligning financial goals with market opportunities and client needs. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities involve optimizing financial resources, managing risk, and driving initiatives that enhance the competitive positioning of Principal's insurance products. Brian Kiel's financial acumen supports the strategic growth and operational efficiency of the Benefits & Protection division, reinforcing Principal's commitment to providing comprehensive financial security and risk management solutions to its clients.

    Louis Flori - Chief Financial Officer, Retirement & Income Solutions Division

    Louis Flori, the Chief Financial Officer, Retirement & Income Solutions Division at Principal, directs the financial strategy and management for the company's core retirement and income offerings. This leadership position is vital for ensuring the financial health and growth of the segment that provides retirement savings and income solutions to businesses and individuals. Flori oversees financial planning, analysis, budgeting, and reporting for this division, driving initiatives that enhance profitability and operational efficiency. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities include managing investment strategies, assessing financial risks, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements specific to retirement products. Louis Flori's financial expertise supports the strategic objectives of the Retirement & Income Solutions Division, reinforcing Principal's mission to empower clients toward long-term financial security and well-being.

    Nelson Katz - Chief Operating Officer (Brazil)

    Nelson Katz, the Chief Operating Officer (Brazil) at Principal, executes operational strategies specifically within the Brazilian market, aligning with the company's global financial services objectives. This role focuses on optimizing the delivery of retirement solutions, asset management, and insurance products tailored to Brazilian businesses and individuals. Katz oversees the day-to-day operations of Principal's Brazilian subsidiaries, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in service provision and product distribution. The Chief Operating Officer's responsibilities include managing local teams, implementing best practices derived from global operations, and adapting strategies to meet the unique demands of the Brazilian financial landscape. Nelson Katz drives initiatives aimed at enhancing client experience and expanding market penetration within Brazil, contributing directly to the company's international financial services segment. By focusing on operational excellence, Katz supports Principal's mission of fostering long-term financial security and risk management in the region.
    Nelson Katz

    Julie Leclere - Chief Operating Officer & Securities Principal

    Julie Leclere, the Chief Operating Officer & Securities Principal at Principal, manages critical operational functions and ensures compliance with securities regulations across the organization. This dual role involves overseeing the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes while also holding responsibility for the company's securities activities. Leclere's purview includes optimizing the delivery of retirement solutions, asset management, and insurance products, ensuring seamless execution from product development to client service. The Chief Operating Officer's focus is on enhancing operational scalability and driving process improvements that support Principal's global financial services strategy. As Securities Principal, Julie Leclere ensures adherence to all relevant regulatory frameworks, safeguarding the integrity of the company's investment and trading operations. This leadership ensures operational robustness and regulatory adherence, supporting Principal's mission of financial security.
    Julie Leclere

    Bethany Wood - Executive VP & Chief Marketing Officer

    Bethany Wood, the Executive VP & Chief Marketing Officer at Principal, directs all marketing and brand strategy initiatives across the company's global operations. This leadership position involves shaping the company's market presence and driving customer acquisition and retention for retirement solutions, asset management, and insurance products. Wood oversees the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns, digital strategies, and brand communications designed to resonate with businesses, individuals, and institutional clients. The Chief Marketing Officer's role includes analyzing market trends, identifying growth opportunities, and ensuring consistent brand messaging that reinforces Principal's commitment to long-term financial security and risk management. Bethany Wood collaborates closely with sales and product development teams to ensure marketing efforts directly support business objectives and enhance the company's competitive positioning in the financial services sector.
    Bethany Wood

    Lisa Coulson - Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Lisa Coulson, the Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer at Principal, leads all human capital strategies and initiatives across the global organization. This executive function focuses on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent to support the company's mission of delivering retirement solutions, asset management, and insurance products. Coulson oversees talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and organizational development programs designed to foster a high-performing and inclusive work environment. The Chief Human Resources Officer's role is integral to ensuring that Principal has the skilled workforce necessary to drive innovation and client satisfaction in the financial services sector. Lisa Coulson champions initiatives that promote employee engagement and align human resources practices with the company's strategic objectives, reinforcing Principal's commitment to its people and its clients' long-term financial security.
    Lisa Coulson

    David Tabora - Chief Information Officer, Principal Asset Management

    David Tabora, the Chief Information Officer, Principal Asset Management at Principal, leads the technology strategy and execution for the company's asset management arm. This role is critical for leveraging technology to enhance investment management services across multiple asset classes. Tabora oversees the development and implementation of IT infrastructure, data analytics, and digital solutions that support Principal Asset Management's operations and client offerings. The Chief Information Officer's responsibilities include ensuring the security, scalability, and reliability of technology systems, driving innovation in areas like AI and cloud computing, and aligning IT initiatives with the division's business objectives. David Tabora plays a key part in optimizing operational efficiency and delivering cutting-edge technological solutions that support Principal's global investment management strategy and its commitment to client financial security.
    David Tabora

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Principal Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Principal?
    Principal is led by Deanna Strable-Soethout (Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Dawn Roberts (Chief Financial Officer, Pfn & Psi) and Reetesh Gupta (Head Chief Financial Officer, Phillipines Enterprise Finance, Actuarial & Financial Planning & Analysis Finance Transformation (Gcc, India)).
    Who is part of Principal’s executive team?
    The executive team of Principal includes leaders such as Deanna Strable-Soethout (Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer), Dawn Roberts (Chief Financial Officer, Pfn & Psi), Reetesh Gupta (Head Chief Financial Officer, Phillipines Enterprise Finance, Actuarial & Financial Planning & Analysis Finance Transformation (Gcc, India)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Principal have?
    Principal has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Principal’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Principal includes roles such as Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Pfn & Psi, Head Chief Financial Officer, Phillipines Enterprise Finance, Actuarial & Financial Planning & Analysis Finance Transformation (Gcc, India), Chief Financial Officer, Benefits & Protection, Chief Financial Officer, Retirement & Income Solutions Division.