For Clint Hinderaker, a career in financial services began with a personal experience that changed the direction of his future.

While studying at the University of Iowa, Clint was initially interested in banking. That changed after his grandfather passed away and Clint had the opportunity to see some of the financial and estate planning his grandfather had put in place. Seeing firsthand what thoughtful planning could accomplish, as well as some areas he questioned, sparked an interest in estate planning and ultimately led him toward insurance and investment advising.

After graduating, Clint was recruited into the industry and began his career with John Hancock in West Des Moines, where he started by cold calling for long-term care insurance sales. Today, he serves as Regional Managing Director with Principal Financial Network of the Cedar Valley, where his focus has evolved from building his own practice to helping other advisors develop practices that serve both their clients and their communities.

That focus on helping others is rooted in what has kept Clint passionate about the profession throughout his career. For him, financial services is ultimately about the difference planning can make in people's lives. He has experienced the deeply personal moments that come with helping a widow navigate life after the loss of her husband, helping grandparents establish a college savings plan for a grandchild, and celebrating with clients who were able to reach retirement years earlier than expected because of the planning they had done.

Those experiences reinforce his belief that financial professionals provide much more than financial products or investment advice. They work toward greater direction and confidence when considering some of life's biggest questions, including whether they will have enough and whether their families will be okay.

Clint's own career began with an interest in estate planning and life insurance, and those areas remain central to his professional philosophy. As his role has shifted toward leadership and management, he has become increasingly focused on helping advisors build impactful practices with a strong foundation of risk protection and comprehensive planning. His goal is to help advisors build successful careers while helping ensure clients are prepared for both the good days and the difficult ones.

That commitment to leadership was recognized in 2026 when Clint was named the NAIFA-Iowa Newell C. Day Agent of the Year. He received the honor during the 2026 NAIFA-Iowa Annual Convention, where advisors from across the organization gathered to celebrate the profession and the accomplishments of their colleagues.

The award adds another chapter to a long history of involvement with NAIFA. Clint first discovered the association early in his career through one of his mentors at John Hancock, longtime agent Chris Carstarphen. Chris invited him to lunch one afternoon, which turned out to be a DMAIFA’s (NAIFA), monthly membership meeting at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. The room was filled with successful agents and advisors, and Clint immediately saw the value of being part of that community. He joined NAIFA in 2004 and has remained involved ever since.

Over the years, that involvement has included leadership positions with Iowa City Area NAIFA and the NAIFA Iowa State Board. He also credits NAIFA with helping him develop some of the most meaningful relationships of his career, including a study group that lasted nearly 15 years. His years serving in NAIFA leadership also happened to coincide with some of his highest revenue-producing years in the business. He believes the association's emphasis on honesty and integrity helped shape his professional approach during that time.

Advocacy has been another important part of Clint's NAIFA experience. He has contributed to NAIFA's Political Action Committee and traveled to Washington, D.C., approximately 10 times for NAIFA's Day on the Hill. He has also participated in advocacy efforts at the Iowa Capitol, including opportunities to meet directly with elected representatives and discuss issues affecting financial professionals, their clients and their communities.

For Clint, however, the value of NAIFA goes well beyond advocacy. It has been a source of mentors, friendships, leadership opportunities and professional development throughout his career. He credits the association and the people he encountered through it with helping shape both the advisor and leader he became.

He also points to NAIFA's Leadership in Life Institute, or LILI, as an important influence, particularly in teaching him lessons that extended beyond his role as an advisor and business owner and into his life as a father.

After more than two decades in financial services and more than 20 years as a NAIFA member, Clint remains enthusiastic about both the profession and the association. His career reflects a belief that financial professionals have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives, while his leadership demonstrates the importance of helping the next generation of advisors do the same.

For someone considering a career in financial services, Clint sees an opportunity to build a rewarding career while doing work that genuinely matters. And for those considering NAIFA, his own experience provides a straightforward message: involvement can make a difference, both professionally and personally.

His journey from a college student inspired by his grandfather's estate planning to a respected industry leader and the 2026 NAIFA-Iowa Newell C. Day Agent of the Year reflects a career built around purpose, relationships, leadership and a commitment to serving others. ​

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