Meet Toya P., Principal^® Connection manager.

I understand how life’s little decisions end up making a big impact. Early in my career, I was going through a job transition and had a mortgage payment, so I thought about cashing in a small 401(k) plan. I was on the phone with the customer service department, and the person on the other end of the line helped me pivot.

That conversation helped me look at retirement and long-term finances. It made me realize there were a lot of things about financial literacy I didn’t know.

Since then, I’ve been trying to build that financial literacy. Now, I guide a team of financial counselors as manager of Principal Connection. I think about what we do and that phone call all the time. You really can make a difference in what seems like a little decision for the bigger picture.

A leap of faith

I was raised mostly in Newport News, Virginia. I was surrounded by family including my mom, a sister, and uncle. I was full steam ahead on plans for a career in broadcasting, but my mom died while I was in college. I needed a job that was going to pay the bills.

I took a position with Enterprise Rental Car in the management training program. After a few years, I decided to move to Charlotte, North Carolina. Enterprise was a great role, but a lot of hours. I took a leap of faith when I left because I knew that job wasn’t where my path was taking me.

I took the first offer I received as an entry level phone banker with a bank. In some ways, it was backtracking, but sometimes you have to take three steps back to take five steps forward.

Embracing change

I gained leadership and management skills at my first job, and then added financial literacy insights at my new job until I was team lead. When my bank branch was acquired by Principal, I found out I would have to pass my series 24 general securities principal qualification exam, which is a test of skills and licensure specific to the industry, in 90 days. If I never have to take that again, I’ll be happy. I try to keep an open mind in the midst of change, which isn’t always easy, but it creates opportunities.

Now, I lead a team of financial counselors who then help educate clients on retirement account options after leaving a company.

In my new role, I’m here for my direct reports so they have knowledge and empathy to meet people where they’re at. If I take care of them, they will be able to take care of our clients. It goes back to making a difference: We may be the last person they have a conversation with before they make a decision. We really have to talk about the bigger picture. The ethics of what we do and how we do it are important.

Finding power in unexpected places

In 2019, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I had a choice of how to handle my diagnosis. I could have let it overwhelm me and become wrapped up in the unknown, but I decided to let it empower me. I made a decision that I am not going to let this hold me back and to manage my condition consciously.

During the pandemic, with my toddler daughter at home, I learned to set boundaries so I can do what I need to do, especially as a full-time employee and full-time mother. Principal has really supported me. As a single mom, I’ve learned a lot of patience, but my Principal family is welcoming of her and makes me feel so comfortable on so many levels.

This was not my dream job when I was 18 years old. But I have made such an impact in so many people’s lives that I wouldn’t have otherwise. I know how it feels to live paycheck to paycheck. I also know the long-lasting impact of the decisions we make when we’re in our 20s. My team and I get to help educate our customers to navigate the differences between living the life they have, and the life they want to live.