Best Places to Work Winner: Principal Financial Group

An art-filled campus in Des Moines, Iowa, and a global perspective have helped Principal Financial Group attract and retain a diverse workforce.

The fun runs/walks were part of the race challenge issued by Principal Chairman, President and CEO Larry Zimpleman for 2012. He challenged all employees to join him in training for and participating in a road race sometime during the year. The employee-only fun runs/walks were held once a month, May through October, as a way to help employees as they trained for their race.

The Employee Town Meetings happen regularly. Typically twice a year. They are held on The Principal Plaza if the weather is decent.

For a number of years Principal has been involved in Habitat for Humanity projects in Central Iowa and other locations where it has a major employee presence.

As part of an Earth Day event, Principal employees accompanied by the firm's mascot helped beautify downtown Des Moines.