Evolving HR with Purpose: From Policy to People-Centered Progress - an Interview with Lisa Coulson, SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Principal Financial Group

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the honor of sitting down with Lisa Coulson, SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Principal Financial Group, to explore how HR can evolve with purpose—moving from policy to people-centered progress.

Lisa’s leadership journey began with values instilled by her parents—her father, an insurance executive and team sports enthusiast, and her mother, a homemaker who created warmth and community. These early influences shaped Lisa’s love for collaboration, tradition, and working toward shared goals.

Her career path was far from linear. From starting as an underwriter to moving into HR consulting and later rising through the ranks at Principal, Lisa emphasized the importance of raising your hand for opportunities, even when they seem outside your comfort zone. A pivotal moment came when she said yes to a compensation role that leveraged her love for math and opened doors to senior leadership.

Lisa believes evolving HR requires both technological fluency and a human touch. Whether integrating AI or redesigning talent strategies, the ultimate goal should be to improve how organizations serve their people. She emphasized that employees are “internal customers” and that HR strategy should be rooted in values, purpose, and ROI—even if it can’t always be neatly calculated.

At Principal, Lisa is leading initiatives focused on AI education, inclusion, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Her guiding principle? Keep swimming—and bring others along with you.

Key takeaways from the interview:

0:01:07 – Lisa’s leadership foundation came from her parents: her father’s team-building spirit and her mother’s emphasis on tradition and community.

0:04:10 – Career growth isn’t always vertical—Lisa emphasized taking horizontal moves that solve business problems and build new skills.

0:06:45 – Saying “yes” to a stretch opportunity in compensation transformed her trajectory and led to key executive experiences.

0:10:12 – HR must evolve with purpose, balancing technological advances with people-centered strategy.

0:12:33 – AI is a powerful tool, not a threat—educating employees is key to reducing fear and embracing growth.

0:16:45 – Principal’s HR strategy is grounded in purpose and aligned to customer needs and company values.

0:19:33 – Employees are internal customers—HR design should reflect their voice as much as it reflects the external market.

0:21:13 – Lisa believes a sense of shared purpose creates better outcomes—and that the ROI of engaged employees is exponential.

0:25:14 – Principal’s top HR priorities include AI readiness, inclusion, and workforce planning for evolving talent needs.

0:27:21 – Lisa’s closing advice: “Just keep swimming” through discomfort—and always pay it forward by mentoring and lifting others.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, or you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, how to build more cohesive and high-performing teams, and lead with greater confidence and influence, let’s have a confidential conversation.

Cheering you on always!
– Sheryl