The Mutual Group’s Repeat Win: A Model for Workplace Culture

DES MOINES, IA – March 24, 2026 – For the second consecutive year, The Mutual Group has secured the prestigious Great Place To Work Certification™, a recognition that places it in an elite category of employers. The certification is not based on a panel of judges or an application checklist, but on the confidential, direct feedback of its own employees. This year’s results are particularly striking: 77% of the company's employees affirmed it is a great place to work, a figure that soars 20 points above the average for U.S. companies.

This consistent recognition for the Des Moines-based insurance services platform highlights a growing trend in corporate strategy: the treatment of workplace culture not as a peripheral benefit, but as a core business driver. The Mutual Group, which provides a suite of solutions to help mutual insurance carriers modernize and grow, is demonstrating that investing in its people translates directly into a stronger market position.

The Strategic Value of a 'People Powered' Culture

In a competitive industry where attracting and retaining top talent is paramount, a positive culture can be a decisive advantage. The Mutual Group has codified its approach under a simple but powerful mantra: “People Powered.” According to the company, this philosophy is the cornerstone of its operational strategy.

“We are honored to again be certified as a Great Place to Work by our employees,” said Naomi Myers, SVP and Chief Administrative Officer at The Mutual Group. “At The Mutual Group, we understand that a strong culture doesn’t happen by accident – it’s built through clarity, intention, and the willingness to listen. The feedback from our employees reinforces that our commitment to being People Powered is real and reflected in the experience we create every day.”

This intentional approach appears to be paying dividends. Great Place To Work®, the global authority on workplace culture, conducts research showing tangible benefits for certified companies. Their data reveals that job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a certified workplace. Furthermore, employees at these companies are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work and are twice as likely to believe they are paid fairly and have a fair chance at promotion. These factors are critical in reducing employee turnover and fostering a motivated, stable workforce capable of delivering complex services to its member clients.

Benchmarking Excellence in a Competitive Field

The financial services and insurance sector is crowded with companies vying for the same pool of skilled professionals. Earning a spot on any “Best Workplaces” list is a significant achievement; repeating that success demonstrates a deeply embedded and sustainable cultural framework. The Mutual Group’s performance places it among industry leaders who understand that employee experience is directly linked to customer experience and long-term profitability.

Great Place To Work Certification™ is considered a global benchmark, with over 10,000 companies across 60 countries applying annually. The methodology relies on the rigorous, research-backed Trust Index™ survey, which measures employee perceptions of credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. Achieving a 77% positive rating indicates a high-trust environment where employees feel valued and aligned with the company’s mission.

“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” explained Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasized that the award is the only official recognition earned through the real-time feedback of employees. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that The Mutual Group stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”

Sustaining Culture Amid Growth and Investment

Adding another layer of complexity and significance to The Mutual Group's achievement is its backing by Bain Capital, a leading global private equity firm. Private equity ownership often brings a sharp focus on growth, efficiency, and market performance. The ability to not only maintain but strengthen a “People Powered” culture under such circumstances suggests a sophisticated understanding of modern value creation.

Rather than viewing culture and performance as opposing forces, The Mutual Group’s model suggests they are intertwined. The capital and operational expertise provided by Bain Capital enable the platform to deliver on its promise of scale and strength to its mutual insurance members. Simultaneously, a highly engaged and satisfied workforce of over 400 employees is better equipped to drive the innovation and service excellence required to meet ambitious growth targets. The company services over $800 million in premium across 50,000 commercial policyholders, a scale that requires a robust and resilient internal foundation.

Earning the certification for a second year indicates that the company’s cultural initiatives are not just surviving but thriving as the business expands. It demonstrates a commitment to scaling the employee experience alongside business operations, a challenge that many fast-growing companies struggle to meet.

Beyond the Plaque: The Mechanics of a Great Workplace

While the certification is the public validation, the real work happens daily within the organization. The Mutual Group states that its culture is built intentionally through interactive company-wide workshops designed to model its core values. This hands-on approach moves beyond passive mission statements on a wall, aiming to embed desired behaviors into the fabric of the company.

The emphasis on creating an environment rooted in trust, belonging, and purpose is key. According to the company, employees are encouraged to grow at their own pace, offered support for causes that matter to them, and empowered to see their role as part of a larger mission. This balance of professional autonomy and collective connection is a powerful driver of employee pride and engagement.

By aligning its more than 400 employees around the common purpose of ensuring a successful future for its members, The Mutual Group turns its internal cultural strength into an external service promise. The stability and dedication of its team become a direct benefit to the mutual insurers that rely on its platform to navigate a rapidly changing industry, ensuring they can remain independent and thrive for years to come.