Eden Pearson

Senior director, state government relations, Nationwide

Age: 36

Spouse: Benjamin Pearson

Children: Eliana 7, Lyman, 6, Kirby, 4, baby Pearson (due April 2022)

Mentor: Winston Morris, senior director, state government relations, Nationwide 

Reasons she is a Forty: As senior director of government relations for Nationwide in Iowa, Eden has played an integral part in developing and implementing legislation that improves the business environment in Iowa and places a priority on the needs of Nationwide members. As co-chair for the Global Insurance Symposium Planning Committee, Eden led the effort to bring the symposium back to Des Moines in 2021 despite enormous challenges. The 2021 Global Insurance Symposium hosted 375 participants from 35 states plus Washington, D.C., and six countries. The event was a resounding success and served as the first big insurance event as we emerged from the pandemic, supporting local businesses and placing a spotlight on the insurance industry in Des Moines and across our state. As vice president of the Iowa Insurance Institute, Eden leads the creation of legislative priorities for the insurance industry in Iowa each year. Eden is proud of the Iowa Insurance Institute for giving back to the community financially and she works with the Institute’s leaders to highlight the importance of the insurance industry in Iowa. 

What are your goals in your role at your company? The No. 1 priority I am focused on through Nationwide is to pass hands-free driving legislation in Iowa. Since beginning work on this important issue I have heard countless stories of individuals and families who have lost loved ones due to distracted driving. The reality is that lives can be saved with this important legislation. I also work closely with Nationwide Agribusiness to promote Grain Bin Safety Week to bring awareness to grain bin accidents. Nationwide’s goal is to continue to advocate on this important issue until there are zero lives lost. 

What are your goals for your community involvement? My goal is to highlight the importance of the insurance industry in Iowa. I serve as co-chair on the Global Insurance Symposium Planning Committee and know firsthand how important the insurance industry is to Iowa. The symposium is offered annually here in Iowa and it was the first industry in-person event in 2021 after COVID-19 hit the U.S. The symposium is hosted annually by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Iowa Insurance Division, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and several Iowa-based insurance firms. Des Moines also hosts two accelerator programs, the Global Insurance Accelerator and BrokerTech Ventures. The collaboration in Iowa to promote the insurance industry is unparalleled in other states. 

What's your biggest passion, and why? As a wife and mom of (almost) four kids, family is my biggest passion. Parenting is by far the most challenging yet rewarding work I do. 

What is it that drives you? My family experienced a life-changing event when I was young due to cancer. That opened my eyes to the reality that so many people in our community are one crisis away from needing significant support. I was one of the lucky ones, having family, friends and community to support me, but I know the reality is that so many kids and families who experience hard times have nowhere to turn. Early in my career I focused on jobs that supported youth in crisis, and that was a big motivator for me. After law school I transitioned to working for Nationwide, and I am proud to work for a company that protects our communities and pursues giving back through volunteerism and corporate giving.  

What are your future aspirations? I would like to pursue more one-to-one support of children and youth in our community. Much of my early career was focused on supporting at-risk children and youth, and that is something I’d love to get back to in a volunteer capacity.  

Three hobbies: Camping with my family. Coaching my daughter in softball. Watching my boys play sports. 

Fun fact: Eden and her husband were married on Captiva Island in Florida almost 10 years ago, and since then she has made it a priority to travel back there each year to celebrate with her growing family. It has become their second home and she’d love to be a snowbird one day. 

One word to describe you: Thoughtful.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? As a board member for the House of Mercy, I want to make a shameless plug. The House of Mercy does amazing things every day for women and children in our community. Their programming focuses on creating healthier women and families, and is one of a-kind, allowing families to stay together as they work through substance abuse and mental health services. As a board member, I get the privilege of hearing directly from the women who were able to change the course of their families’ lives through the services provided by the House of Mercy. 

Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you? I would like to acknowledge my husband, Benjamin, who has been my biggest champion. He never hesitated to support my career and provided encouragement and strategic advice when I needed it the most. He also filled in for me at home when I was traveling, all while building his own business. This award is as much his as it is mine. 

What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? I have had countless mentors over the course of my career. Each mentor had a different personality trait or priority that I realized I didn’t have. For me, I actively worked to adopt those traits or priorities that made them successful, and that has served me well. I also rarely said no to an opportunity. For me, even when stretched, it was important to adopt a growth mindset rather than shrink back into my comfort zone. Putting my foot on the gas often meant I was saying yes to opportunities even when my time was limited, or I didn’t know if I had the technical ability to do it. I saw a tremendous amount of growth during the past few years by saying yes. 

What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address? Coming back downtown after the pandemic, many businesses have closed or significantly changed to accommodate the loss of people coming downtown to work each day. I would love to support those businesses and build them back up.