Cory McAnelly is the AVP – Enterprise Innovation Strategy for Principal Financial Group, a global insurance and finance company headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. His team facilitates access to innovation capabilities for problem solvers and experts across Principal’s business lines to drive innovation that aligns with Principal’s purpose of fostering a world where financial security is accessible to all.

Until recently, Cory served as Intellectual Property Counsel for Principal and before that he worked in legal private practice advising clients from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies on their intellectual property portfolio, including their brand and marketing practices. Cory serves as a Board Member of the Global Insurance Accelerator, the Drake Law School Board of Counselors, and as Deputy to Dan Houston on the Iowa Business Council.

He lives with his wife, Lauren, his (newborn) son, Odin, and their two dogs in Des Moines’ Drake neighborhood and is active in his community, including service on the Board of the Des Moines Public Library Foundation and as the Chair of the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus. Cory is a proud University of Iowa Alum (B.A. in Biochemistry) and, while he works in the financial service world, he never left behind his passion for science and biochemistry which he indulges through his extensive in-home plant collection and greenhouse.