# Deanna Strable-Soethout

> Deanna Strable-Soethout, professionally known as Deanna Strable, is chair, president and CEO of Principal Financial Group. She joined in 1990 as an actuarial assistant, advanced through operating and finance roles, became CEO in January 2025 and added board chair in September 2025. Her public leadership advice draws on her experiences learning to speak up, developing colleagues and making space for different paths to advancement.

- **Role:** Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer at Principal Financial Group
- **Organizations:** Principal Financial Group, Simpson College, United Way of Central Iowa, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Business Roundtable, Society of Actuaries, American Academy of Actuaries, Delta Zeta
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and economics, Northwestern University
- **Known for:** First woman to become CEO of Principal Financial Group., Helped establish Specialty Benefits and integrate it with the life insurance business., Co-founded Principal’s first women’s leadership group.

## Career timeline

- **1990** — Joined Principal as an actuarial assistant after a college internship.
- **1992** — Took an assignment in Belgium, her first time outside the United States.
- **2015** — Became president of Principal’s U.S. Insurance Solutions business.
- **2017** — Became chief financial officer.
- **2024-08** — Named president and chief operating officer.
- **2025-01-07** — Succeeded Dan Houston as president and CEO and joined the board.
- **2025-09-02** — Became chair of the board.

## Achievements

- First woman to become CEO of Principal Financial Group.
- Helped establish Specialty Benefits and integrate it with the life insurance business.
- Co-founded Principal’s first women’s leadership group.
- Named a 2026 Business Record Woman of Influence.
- Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Featured as a Business Record Woman of Influence.
- **2026-05** — Listed as a speaker on the Milken Institute Global Conference panel AI Reimagining Wealth and the Workforce.
- **2026-04** — Published a Milken Institute essay on technology and financial inclusion.
- **2025-09** — Added the board chair role, effective September 2.

## Links

- Website: https://investors.principal.com/management/deanna-strable
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-strable-soethout

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Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21