Barry Griswell
Atlanta, Georgia
Businessman
Barry Griswell was only 4 when his parents divorced, forcing his mother to work two jobs. He found support at the Joseph B. Whitehead Boys Club, where he joined the 10-and-under basketball team and won the “most improved” award. He attended Berry College on academic and athletic scholarships. Though he hoped to play basketball professionally, an economics course changed his plans. Barry entered the financial services industry, ultimately becoming chairman/CEO of Principal Financial Group. Currently president of the Des Moines Community Foundation, he founded the nonprofit Harvest Initiative, which supports Clubs on South Dakota’s Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation.
