2025 Recap: 5 Most Impactful Women's C-Suite Appointments in USA

Deanna Strable-Soethout

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌ appointment of Deanna Strable-Soethout as the Principal Financial Group's CEO and Chair in 2025 was a landmark moment for the international financial services entity. Deanna is a veteran leader with not only a vast experience but also a deep understanding of the institution. She climbed the corporate ladder after joining Principal in 1990, leading various areas such as finance, strategy, and global operations at different times. Her rise is an endorsement of the ethics-centered type of ​‍​‌‍​‍‌leadership.

She​‍​‌‍​‍‌ is recognized for her calm but decisive method of work by which she has kept on advocating long-term value creation, financial inclusion and sustainable growth. As Chief Executive Officer, her leadership is guiding Principal by a fast-changed financial world, where the company has to innovate while keeping its risk discipline. Her personal story proves the significance of developing leadership from within and the increasing number of women running top financial institutions in ​‍​‌‍​‍‌America.