Empowering Women in Tech: A Leadership Journey at Principal
At Principal, every role is centered around serving our customers—and that includes risk and security professionals like Michelle. Their efforts are key in protecting sensitive information, digital products, and financial savings.
“We want every customer interaction to feel safe and secure,” Michelle shares.
Learn more about her journey in technology, how her role has changed over the years, and the impact she’s made.
How did your career at Principal begin?
My journey started over 32 years ago as an intern. It was an exciting time because I was finishing my final semester, and the internship allowed me to apply what I was learning in class directly to real-world work.
After that, I accepted a full-time position as a developer. Not long after, I began taking on leadership tasks, like mentoring interns and guiding new team members.
What’s your current position?
I now work in the information security and risk space, focusing primarily on identity and access management.
Our mission is to protect both customer and employee data by ensuring secure access to our systems. Whether someone is logging in or reaching out to our engagement centers, we work behind the scenes to keep that connection safe.
I lead a team in this area—and I’m also a Principal customer myself. That dual perspective helps me understand the importance of what we do on a personal level.
How has your work evolved?
The way we approach tech has changed significantly. In the early days, roles were broad, and everyone pitched in across the board. As time went on, responsibilities became more defined.
We’ve also grown more agile, open to adjusting our processes when they no longer serve us or hinder innovation.
What are your thoughts on Principal’s modernization?
It’s tempting to stick with familiar routines. But my teams frequently ask questions like, “Why do we do this?” and “Does it still add value?”
If the only answer is, “That’s how it’s always been done,” we know it’s time to rethink.
Principal makes a genuine effort to evolve and keep moving forward.
How do you support women in tech at Principal?
Building diverse teams is a priority for me—not just in terms of demographics but also in skills and perspectives.
I’m a big advocate for mentorship, whether it's a formal program or informal conversations. I love learning from others, hearing about their experiences, and sharing insights from my own journey.
And how has Principal supported you?
One belief I live by is: work is just one part of life—I work to live, not the other way around. That balance isn’t always easy to achieve, but Principal’s flexibility has been a huge help.
I’ve been able to participate in my kids’ school activities, lead their Girl Scout troops, and be there when they were home sick. Those moments were so important to our family.
I also make use of the company’s volunteer time—it’s a great way to give back.
What advice would you give to someone entering tech?
Stay curious. If technology excites you, push yourself to keep learning. The field evolves fast, and gaining expertise in a specific area can be incredibly rewarding. At the same time, becoming well-rounded is just as valuable.
And remember—you don’t have to know everything. It’s perfectly fine to say, “I’m not sure, but I’ll find out.” Tap into your network and use the tools around you to keep moving forward.
Equal Opportunity and Hiring Practices
Principal® is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes part in E-Verify. All qualified candidates are considered, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected traits. Harassment based on these traits is not tolerated.
If you need accommodations during the application process due to a disability, please contact Human Resources at MyHR@principal.com or call 1-866-524-6947.
A Note on Recruitment Scams
Please be aware of fraudulent job postings and communications claiming to be from Principal. Genuine job opportunities are only available through our official careers site: careers.principal.com. We will never ask for money or personal financial details at any point during the hiring process. If you suspect a scam, reach out to MyHR@principal.com or call 1-866-524-6947—and notify local authorities.
Click here to know more about our recruitment fraud information.
“We want every customer interaction to feel safe and secure,” Michelle shares.
Learn more about her journey in technology, how her role has changed over the years, and the impact she’s made.
How did your career at Principal begin?
My journey started over 32 years ago as an intern. It was an exciting time because I was finishing my final semester, and the internship allowed me to apply what I was learning in class directly to real-world work.
After that, I accepted a full-time position as a developer. Not long after, I began taking on leadership tasks, like mentoring interns and guiding new team members.
What’s your current position?
I now work in the information security and risk space, focusing primarily on identity and access management.
Our mission is to protect both customer and employee data by ensuring secure access to our systems. Whether someone is logging in or reaching out to our engagement centers, we work behind the scenes to keep that connection safe.
I lead a team in this area—and I’m also a Principal customer myself. That dual perspective helps me understand the importance of what we do on a personal level.
How has your work evolved?
The way we approach tech has changed significantly. In the early days, roles were broad, and everyone pitched in across the board. As time went on, responsibilities became more defined.
We’ve also grown more agile, open to adjusting our processes when they no longer serve us or hinder innovation.
What are your thoughts on Principal’s modernization?
It’s tempting to stick with familiar routines. But my teams frequently ask questions like, “Why do we do this?” and “Does it still add value?”
If the only answer is, “That’s how it’s always been done,” we know it’s time to rethink.
Principal makes a genuine effort to evolve and keep moving forward.
How do you support women in tech at Principal?
Building diverse teams is a priority for me—not just in terms of demographics but also in skills and perspectives.
I’m a big advocate for mentorship, whether it's a formal program or informal conversations. I love learning from others, hearing about their experiences, and sharing insights from my own journey.
And how has Principal supported you?
One belief I live by is: work is just one part of life—I work to live, not the other way around. That balance isn’t always easy to achieve, but Principal’s flexibility has been a huge help.
I’ve been able to participate in my kids’ school activities, lead their Girl Scout troops, and be there when they were home sick. Those moments were so important to our family.
I also make use of the company’s volunteer time—it’s a great way to give back.
What advice would you give to someone entering tech?
Stay curious. If technology excites you, push yourself to keep learning. The field evolves fast, and gaining expertise in a specific area can be incredibly rewarding. At the same time, becoming well-rounded is just as valuable.
And remember—you don’t have to know everything. It’s perfectly fine to say, “I’m not sure, but I’ll find out.” Tap into your network and use the tools around you to keep moving forward.
Equal Opportunity and Hiring Practices
Principal® is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes part in E-Verify. All qualified candidates are considered, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected traits. Harassment based on these traits is not tolerated.
If you need accommodations during the application process due to a disability, please contact Human Resources at MyHR@principal.com or call 1-866-524-6947.
A Note on Recruitment Scams
Please be aware of fraudulent job postings and communications claiming to be from Principal. Genuine job opportunities are only available through our official careers site: careers.principal.com. We will never ask for money or personal financial details at any point during the hiring process. If you suspect a scam, reach out to MyHR@principal.com or call 1-866-524-6947—and notify local authorities.
Click here to know more about our recruitment fraud information.
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