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Dan Houston
Chairman, President and CEO
Dan Houston is the Executive Chairman of Principal Financial Group, a global financial services company headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. He transitioned to this role in January 2025 after serving as the company's Chairman, President, and CEO from August 2015 to January 2025. Houston joined Principal in 1984 and has held numerous leadership positions, including President of Retirement and Investor Services, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President.125
Houston is known for his extensive experience in the financial services industry, focusing on retirement planning, asset management, and insurance. Under his leadership, Principal expanded its global presence and increased its market capitalization significantly. He has also been recognized with awards such as the Iowa Business Hall of Fame induction and the Ray Lillywhite Award for his contributions to the industry.135
Houston holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University. Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he serves on multiple boards, including the American Council of Life Insurers and Partnership for a Healthier America. He has also appeared before U.S. Senate committees to advocate for retirement savings education.46
Highlights
Each spring we welcome world class golf to Des Moines during the Principal Charity Classic. It’s an entertaining, family-friendly event that attracts more than 60,000 fans to the beautiful Wakonda Club for golf, networking, and fun in the 🌞. The best part? Proceeds from the event benefit more than 130,000 young people in Iowa each year. Since 2007, our community has raised more than $53 million for Iowa youth through Principal Charity Classic. To everyone whose generosity helps make this event possible, my heartfelt thanks. You are making a difference for Iowa’s future. Finally, congratulations to our 2024 champion, Ernie Els! Principal Financial Group
Wednesday was a very special and humbling day for me as I received from the hands of Barbara Marder this year’s Ray Lillywhite Award. My heartfelt gratitude to Employee Benefit Research Institute, founder Dallas Salisbury, and members of the EBRI executive committee and Board for recognizing the important role employee benefits play in financial security.
I am proud to be the third recipient of this award from Principal Financial Group, following in the footsteps of two pioneers in our industry and mentors of mine—Larry Zimpleman and the late Dave Hurd. Their rich legacy continues to inspire me and the 19,000 Principal employees around the world who share a singular focus on improving access to financial security.
