The latest moves, appointments and personnel adjustments in the North American wealth management sector.

Principal
Nasdaq-listed Principal Financial Group has appointed president and chief operating officer Deanna Strable as its next president and CEO, effective January 7, 2025.

Strable is succeeding Dan Houston, who will continue to serve as executive chair of the board, the business said in a statement yesterday. 

Besides insurance, Principal also provides investment and retirement solutions, such as Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).

Prior to her president and COO role, Strable was its chief financial officer from 2017 to 2024, and before that, she was president of the firm's workplace benefits and insurance business.

Wealth|KC
Wealth|KC has brought in financial advisor Lucas Fender to join its practice. The firm, based in Kansas City and Overland Park, now employs a team of four wealth advisors and three support staff; it has served clients such as high net worth investors and firms for six years.

Fender previously worked for nine years at Edward Jones where he specialized in financial planning and investment management. In that role, he managed about $120 million in client assets; he is joined by his client support specialist, Mallory Hartwick.

Shean Fletcher is president of Wealth|KC.

Securities and advisory services at the firm are offered through LPL Financial.