Principal Financial Group® announced today that Julia Lawler, senior executive director of Principal Portfolio Strategies, the asset allocation boutique within Principal Global Investors at Principal®, will become the next Chief Risk Officer effective January 1, 2018. After 35 years with the company, senior vice president and current chief risk officer, Greg Elming, announced his intentions to retire as of March 31, 2018.

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Julia Lawler (Photo: Principal Financial Group)

Julia Lawler (Photo: Principal Financial Group)

“Greg successfully led us through the governance of significant risks and opportunities and has made meaningful contributions in serving the needs of our customers,” said Dan Houston, chairman, president and chief executive officer for Principal. “We thank him for his dedication and wish him the best in retirement.”

Greg joined Principal in 1982 as a staff accountant and has held several positions in a variety of accounting, tax and finance areas before being promoted to vice president and controller in 2000 and to his current role in 2011.

“Julia has experience with nearly every segment of Principal’s business,” added Houston. “Armed with her strong investment and financial background, she’s well positioned to understand the complexity of risk in our organization. Her strategic thinking and deep understanding of our business strategy make her the right fit for the role.”

Lawler joined the company in 1984 and has held leadership positions including Chief Investment Officer at Principal as well as roles in Principal’s retirement and investor solutions, capital markets, and real estate investment. She currently serves as the senior executive director of Principal Portfolio Strategies, the asset allocation boutique within Principal Global Investors.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work across Principal’s many businesses, and look forward to bringing that experience to my new role as chief risk officer because the management of risk is critical to the success and stability of our organization,” said Lawler.

About Principal®

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