Women in Tech at Principal®: Modernizing the Way We Work

Originally published on Principal.com

Modernizing technology is all about reimagining how we enable business processes and how we improve customers’ experiences.

That’s Beth’s job. But she adds an element: Modernizing the way we work at Principal® and the makeup of our team—supporting a more gender-inclusive workforce in a traditionally male-dominated field.

See what she has to say about her role and experiences as a woman in tech.

How did you get into IT at Principal, and what’s your role today?

I was moving to Des Moines, Iowa, and was eager to work at a large company like Principal; I knew the brand. I originally started in project management.

I wanted to get more aligned with my technical background, so I moved into technology leadership—first in the department I was in, then in sales compensation, then in our actuarial modernization program. The latter broadened into a larger role leading finance modernization.

Today, I lead the engineering teams that support our retirement transformation initiatives.

I’ve moved around a ton but have always enjoyed being a part of our tech community.

What excites you about the work? 

I really enjoy modernization and transformation—the projects that look at how our people, process, and technology need to adapt to what our customers are expecting from us.

Principal has been in business for 145 years and is becoming more digital; it’s fraught with challenges but also really rewarding to bring changes to life.

What’s been your experience with work-life balance?

I’m mom to two middle-schoolers. It takes some work to find the right balance. But Principal does a really nice job of providing an environment where you can be there for your children and still bring your best to work every day. I couldn’t be successful in either thing—parenting or work—without the flexibility we have.

How have you felt supported as a woman in tech at Principal? 

Principal is the first place I observed a woman in the chief information officer role. Having a woman to look up to at that level of leadership was unique—relative to other places I’d worked—and shaped my career aspirations.

Of course, our current senior leadership team has many strong women. I think it continues to set us apart.

And how have you helped support others? 

I try to double down: We’ve got great women in leadership. What can we do to keep supporting that trend?

I’m happy to invest my time and do everything I can to coach someone with potential to be everything they can be and not doubt themselves.

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