Employees who work at Principal Financial Group’s Des Moines headquarters have free, unlimited access to local buses year-round—even when they’re not working.

After working at this financial services company for 17 years, Nora Everett last year was named president of Principal Funds, overseeing a $42 billion business. In her “spare time,” she’s raising two teenagers, just like Chief Investment Officer Julia Lawler, an employee of 25 years who monitors a $59 billion portfolio. Nora and Julia are two of the many mothers who have developed meaningful, long-term careers here. The company’s commitment to working moms is clear: 52% of last year’s corporate mentoring slots and 69% of all promotions went to women. To help those with young families, the company’s Des Moines, IA, headquarters just introduced a full-time child-care center, open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., that serves kids under age 5. With permission, working moms may arrange part-time summer hours or structure their schedules around school activities via flex or compressed hours.

President & CEO: Larry Zimpleman

Senior VP, HR: Ralph Eucher

Women managers/execs: 58%

Women among top earners: 65%

Women on board of directors: 33%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 0%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 75%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: 56%

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: N/A

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: Yes