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Sustainability Our sustainability strategy

Our sustainability strategy

Photo of a mom sitting with her kids at home while working on a laptop

Our role in society

We make financial security accessible to all, while doing right by our customers, our communities, and the planet.

The scope of our strategy

Sustainability vision

Help people today by advocating for security and inclusion, creating opportunity for future generations.

Sustainability approach

Grow a sustainable and secure society through long-term, responsible actions.

Activation pillars

ESG materiality matrix

Within the seven focus areas are 21 specific ESG topics that drive the sustainability targets, goals, and initiatives described throughout this report.

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Sustainable development goals

The UN describes SDGs as “the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all,” and we're committed to supporting this effort.

Goal 5: Gender equality

Goal 5: Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Goal 10: Reduced inequalities

Goal 10: Reduced inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

Goal 13: Climate action

Goal 13: Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*

Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Sustainability task force

Beth Wood

Beth Wood

Chair, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

Beth Wood

Beth Wood

EVP, Global Chief Marketing Officer and Chair, Sustainability Task Force

How does your work advance our sustainability goals?

Building a reputation for being a purpose-led company that helps people build a brighter future and that values inclusion, is at the core of what we stand for and stand up for. We are committed to helping more people and businesses gain access to systems, products and information to help them feel more secure as they journey through life. Financial security is a journey unique to each person depending on their experience and condition. It’s important to have the right data, messaging, and communication channels to reach our customers wherever they are in the world, whatever their financial status, goals, stage of life, or level of financial confidence. Our own sustainability journey is one that adapts over time—and it’s important to always tell an authentic and transparent story of impact.

SDGs supported:

5, 8, 10, 13, 17

Joined Principal:

2019

Years of experience (Marketing, Communications):

37

Binay Chandgothia

Binay Chandgothia

Managing Director, Portfolio Management

Binay Chandgothia

Binay Chandgothia

Managing Director, Portfolio Management

How does your work advance our sustainability goals?

As an asset owner through the general account of Principal Life Insurance Company®, sustainability considerations form an important cornerstone of our investment strategy. Our investment teams consider sustainable investing factors in their analytical frameworks, with ESG metrics factored into the scoring of fixed income investments and climate change and emissions considerations incorporated into the evaluation of real estate deals by our real estate analysts.

SDGs supported:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Joined Principal:

2000

Years of experience (Financial services):

30

Kevin Farley

Kevin Farley

Vice President, Enterprise Worksite Services

Kevin Farley

Kevin Farley

Vice President, Enterprise Worksite Services

How does your work advance our sustainability goals?

Through operational improvement, renewable energy procurement, and employee engagement, we aim to reduce the environmental impact of our GHG emissions, energy and water usage, and waste production.

SDGs supported:

12, 13

Joined Principal:

2000

Years of experience (Financial services):

36

Jane Keairns

Jane Keairns

Director, ESG and Emerging Strategies

Jane Keairns

Jane Keairns

Director, ESG and Emerging Strategies

How does your work advance our sustainability goals?

Our sustainability journey requires us to listen and respond to stakeholder concerns and employee priorities—and to consider our external context, such as market factors and economic trends. It’s also about a commitment to sharing what we’ve learned and showing evidence of our activities so stakeholders can learn about our work to build a more sustainable future. We work across teams and disciplines to set sustainability commitments that reflect our values and aspirations for a more inclusive and resilient world. Our multi-year sustainability goals and annual targets allow us to measure our progress. To manage the evolving landscape and stay ahead of the curve, we’re continuously refining our approach while we remain dedicated to transparently reporting progress.

SDGs supported:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Joined Principal:

2021

Years of experience (Financial services):

21

Natalie Lamarque

Natalie Lamarque

EVP, General Counsel and Secretary

Natalie Lamarque

Natalie Lamarque

EVP, General Counsel and Secretary

How does your work advance our sustainability goals?

Good governance and strong compliance are essential for any sustainable business. By ensuring integrity in our business practices, we can navigate an ever-changing legal, regulatory, geo- political, and reputational landscape while maintaining an ethical and transparent culture.

SDGs supported:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Joined Principal:

2022

Years of experience (Law, Financial services):

20

Miriam Lewis

Miriam Lewis

Chief Inclusion Officer

Miriam Lewis

Miriam Lewis

Chief Inclusion Officer

How does your work advance our sustainability goals?

Our sustainability strategy is largely fueled by our people. We believe everyone plays an important role in creating a more diverse workforce and inclusive culture. Our purpose compels us to create meaningful work and rewarding experiences for our employees and ultimately better business outcomes for our customers and stakeholders.

SDGs supported:

5, 8, 10

Joined Principal:

2019

Years of experience (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion):

11

Ken McCullum

Ken McCullum

EVP and Chief Risk Officer

Ken McCullum

Ken McCullum

EVP and Chief Risk Officer

How does your work advance our sustainability goals?

Managing and mitigating risk is essential to the sustainability of our business. We work to identify, measure, monitor, and communicate, and manage risks within established limits and risk tolerances which may include but is not limited to market risk, insurance risk, operational risk and includes climate-related risk considerations.

SDGs supported:

4, 9, 11, 16

Joined Principal:

2015

Years of experience (Risk, Financial services):

36

Jo Christine Miles

Jo Christine Miles

Director, Principal Community Relations and the Principal® Foundation

Jo Christine Miles

Jo Christine Miles

Director, Principal Community Relations and the Principal® Foundation

How does your work advance our sustainability goals?

Principal® Foundation is an important part of helping people along their financial journey and focuses its support on those who are underserved and under-resourced. Principal Foundation spends a portion of its endowment each year to fund programs that address gaps in basic living needs, remove barriers, and provide resources to help people, small businesses, and communities take the next steps in their financial journeys.

SDGs supported:

8, 10, 17

Joined Principal:

2020

Years of experience (Law, Philanthropy):

20

Chris Reddy

Chris Reddy

Executive Director, Investment & Client Solutions, Principal Asset Management

Chris Reddy

Chris Reddy

Executive Director, Investment & Client Solutions, Principal Asset Management

How does your work advance our sustainability goals?

As a global asset manager, our commitment to sustainable investing revolves around our fiduciary responsibility to our clients. Acting in their best interests comes first and foremost. Our approach to sustainable investing is always driven by that priority. We recognize that client needs and expectations vary across segments and geographies and that we must be consultative and offer choice. By collaborating with our clients in personal and customized ways, we can help determine what types of engagements and investments best support their values, goals, and expectations for a repeatable investment process. Through our client engagement efforts, we are mindful that sustainable investing offers the potential to enhance security analysis by providing a holistic view of the factors driving risk and potential return.

SDGs supported:

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17

Joined Principal:

1986

Years of experience (Financial services):

34

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