About this webinar
Today’s business owners are navigating multi-faceted challenges as they work to protect what they’ve built—their businesses and the people who fuel their growth. Drawing on insights from the 2026 Principal® Business Owner Study, this webinar explores the evolving priorities shaping their financial planning decisions, risks to their business that they are feeling most acutely, and the complexities making these challenges harder to solve.

Attendees will gain a clearer view of how business owners are thinking about:
  • Workforce concerns
  • Benefit pressures
  • Rising healthcare costs

    • Attendees will walk away with:
  • Key questions to ask to help start and foster conversations with their current clients and prospects
  • Resources with additional insights to be used at their fingertips
    • Agenda
    Featured presenter(s)
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    Nate Schelhaas
    Senior Vice President and Head of Business Owner Segment, Benefits and Protection
    Nate Schelhaas is a senior vice president, actuary,  and head of the Business Owner Segment in Benefits and Protection with Principal Financial Group®. He is responsible for the management of the New Business, Underwriting Product Development, and Actuarial Teams.  He also leads the Data and Analytics team for the Benefits and Protection segment. 

    Nate has been with Principal for 26 years and has held multiple roles; prior to his current role he served as the Life chief financial officer. 

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    Kimberly Etchings
    National Vice President, Principal® Financial Network
    Kimberly Etchings leads the distribution network that has 22 regions and more than 1,200 financial services professionals working with business and individual clients all over the country.

    Etchings started in the industry in 1997 as an advisor with Northwestern Mutual and went on to build her own firm in Los Angeles, CA called Prism Financial Group. In late 2007, she sold her book of business and began looking for new challenges and opportunities. She became a senior partner at Commonwealth Financial Group in Boston until October 2012, when she became a co-general agent for a Mass Mutual agency in Connecticut. In December 2013, Etchings joined Principal as the Regional Managing Director of the New England territory. In August 2016 she became the Managing Vice President – Principal Financial Network and was promoted to her current role as National Vice President in March 2020.
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    Annette Fitzgerald
    Annette Fitzgerald is the National Practice Leader for the Mid-Market, responsible for driving new sales and retention growth in the 100–499 employee segment. She brings more than 20 years of carrier‑side experience in field distribution, with deep expertise in the Mid-Market.

    In addition to driving Mid‑Market growth, Annette has leadership accountability for Principal Absence Management and the Executive Benefits sales team, with responsibility for performance and results. She also oversees the Enrollment Support Team, focused on driving voluntary benefit participation through employee education.
    Webinar details
    Date: Tuesday May 12, 2026
    Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
    Cost: Free
    Language: English(Customized)
    Webinar ID: 81ced5b64f1c
    Dial-in Info:
    Dial-in number: +1 (312) 248-9348
    Dial-in ID: 355059#
    Dial-in passcode: 6507#
    Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the webinar. By registering, we’ll send you the replay so you can watch when it’s convenient for you.

    Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co. (except in NY), Principal Life Insurance Company®, and the companies available through the Preferred Product Network, Inc.,  Plan administrative services provided by Principal Life. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.5321608-032026
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    © 2026, Principal Financial Services, Inc.