When Carla Serrano graduated from university after studying English literature and math, she didn’t know what type of career she wanted to pursue. She had never considered advertising or marketing, but once she started at Chiat/Day Toronto, she began building a career she deeply loves.

Currently, Serrano is Chief Strategy Officer of Publicis Groupe and a 2026 Matrix Honoree. With a breadth of knowledge and experience, Serrano spoke candidly about her journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way on NYWICI’s WomenHeard podcast. Here’s a taste of what you can expect to hear in the episode.

Leading Differently

Would you rather be loved or feared as a leader?

The age-old question never sat right with Serrano, she says, because being a leader is not a binary act. “I don’t want people to feel as though they are working for me but with me,.” she says. Her ascent to leadership was shaped by leaders, managers and predecessors who often looked and led differently than she did. Rather than trying to replicate their styles, Serrano learned to trust her own. The best mentors encouraged her to embrace her individuality and find an approach that felt authentic. For Serrano, that ultimately became one of the most important lessons of leadership: you don’t have to fit someone else’s mold to be successful.

“Putting yourself out there and being brave enough to share your opinion is something I wish more women would do more of,” she says. “I do my best to encourage people, young women especially, to speak up and be their own person.”

The Case for Slowing Down

Despite working in an industry that’s constantly on the move, Serrano prioritizes herself and her health. She’s been practicing yoga and meditation “since before it was cool,” a practice she picked up from her mother. And she loves to read fiction as an escape from reality.

Serrano recognizes the intensity of corporate life and advises young professionals to slow down and truly prioritize what matters to them. When she was new to the industry, she remembers feeling pressured to climb the corporate ladder as quickly as possible. “I look back and want to ask myself what exactly I was running for,” she says.

Thanks to Carla Serrano for sharing her words of wisdom! Listen to the full interview and catch up on all the episodes of NYWICI’s WomenHeard podcast.