Cory McAnelly

Counsel - intellectual property, patent attorney
Principal Financial Group

Age: 35

Partner: Lauren McAnelly

Mentor: Chief Judge John A. Jarvey, U.S. District Court – Southern District of Iowa

Why he’s a Forty: He recently served as the president of the Des Moines Public Library Foundation and, like many other business and philanthropic leaders, worked with the foundation, library, and board to pivot critical public services to a digital environment during the pandemic. His passion for the improvement of his community and his sincere care for the health and well-being of fellow Iowans led him to his role on the board of managers for the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus. While his passions may guide him, it is his ability to listen and respond to where his service and leadership will be valuable that helps him maximize the value of his involvement.

What are your goals in your role at your company? 

Principal is a 140-plus-year-old institution with deep roots in Iowa and global reach. As intellectual property counsel, it is my privilege to assist Principal in continuing its legacy of ingenuity and innovation as it expands into new technologies and new markets around the world. 

What are your goals for your community involvement? 

I look forward to continuing my work with the Des Moines Public Library Foundation (and Library) as these organizations leverage new technology to pursue innovative means of providing critical public services to the city of Des Moines. I also look to help support and strengthen the efforts to curb homelessness and provide for basic needs in Des Moines as the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus expands its efforts and impact.

What's your biggest passion, and why? 

People are my biggest passion. Nothing brings me greater joy than learning what motivates my fellow humans. My career choice to help people pursue their passion at the leading edge of innovation through my work as an intellectual property attorney is one of many examples.  Perhaps the best example of my love for my fellow humans/Iowans can only be understood after getting to know me and realizing I am always one call away from sitting down and having a coffee to share everything from joy and excitement to sadness and heartbreak. The mystery and intrigue of my interaction with nature and humanity is what gets me excited about each day.

What is it that drives you? 

Again, it’s all about people. It is no accident that I find myself in Des Moines after living across the United States, nor is it any accident that I work for Principal. Open any national newspaper or “best of” list and you will see Des Moines and Principal at the top. Why? The people. The people in this city are passionate, caring, thoughtful, determined and innovative. The best of our basic and most critical element, our humanity, is on great display here in Iowa, and even when it's not, we strive to be better.

What are your future aspirations? 

Right now I look forward to working hard and learning from my mentors. I still have much to learn and I have critical mentors around me that are willing to teach and provide guidance. I intend to act as a sponge for their wisdom and to pass it on when I am blessed to mentor others. As far as a long-term plan, I look to continue pushing those organizations that I influence to provide more comprehensive access to critical services through their leveraging of technology and innovation.

Three hobbies: Road racing and triathlons. Gardening (indoor and outdoor) – I have an indoor greenhouse and 50+ varieties of plants. Writing (snail mail letters to pen pals).

Fun Fact: I sing with two choirs at Principal and in the Des Moines Diversity Choir. Singing brings me great joy.

ONE word: Irrepressible. 

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? 

My wish for the Central Iowa business community is that it continues to leverage the momentum that our businesses, our leaders and our community have built over the last five to 10 years and that we continue our positive trajectory. Our accolades are almost always backwards-looking and complacency is a real trap, but I know that we can take advantage of this success to push Central Iowa towards further greatness in the near and long term.