Big impact, major lessons for Iowa’s business community! The 2024 Principal Charity Classic just hit a record: $8.6 million raised for Iowa children. But this isn’t just a golf story—it’s a blueprint for how corporate Iowa, including manufacturers, can drive deep and lasting community change.
In this episode, host Leisa Fox sits down with Jo Christine Miles and Ken McCullum, two leaders shaping the legacy of the Principal Charity Classic. From national honors like the PGA President’s Award to statewide recognition for sustainability and social responsibility, this tournament isn’t just a charity event—it’s a case study in how business-led philanthropy strengthens Iowa’s workforce and economy.
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Jo Christine gives us an inside look at the Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective, which connects youth with real career pathways—an initiative that manufacturers and employers can support and replicate. Ken explains how Principal’s long-term sponsorship reflects a larger business philosophy: that thriving communities are essential to talent retention, brand reputation, and state-wide resilience.
Sitting around 50,000 attendees each year, the folks at Principal are looking to double that attendance. What could impact such a huge growth goal? Golfers like Zach Johnson and Tiger Woods turning 50 meeting eligibility requirements for the tournament! With the hope of their attendance? I’d get my spot reserved the minute they’re available!
For Iowa’s manufacturers, this episode offers a compelling example of how business and nonprofit partnerships can go beyond donations—creating measurable, meaningful returns for everyone involved.