Susan Gianinno

Susan Gianinno joined Publicis Groupe in 2003 as Chairman and CEO of Publicis Worldwide in the USA. She is a member of the Publicis Worldwide Executive Committee (COMEX). She is also on the Publicis Groupe Strategic Leadership Team. In her role, Susan oversees all Publicis USA operations, including Publicis, Publicis Kaplan Thaler, Publicis Modem, Riney and AR New York.

Susan was previously Chairman and President of D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles Worldwide; and prior to that was CEO at J. Walter Thompson New York. She joined JWT from the position of EVP, Worldwide Client Managing Director at BBDO, where she was the executive in charge of global clients. Susan spent twelve years at Young & Rubicam, where she was EVP, Worldwide Client Managing Director. As a pioneer, Susan was the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors at all four companies.

Susan has been a Trustee at Boston College since 1991. She is incoming Chair of the Visiting Committee for the Division of Social Sciences at the University of Chicago. Susan is currently Chairman Emeritus of The Advertising Council’s Board of Directors, where she has been on the Board since 2003. Susan is a Board Member for R.R. Donnelley.

Susan started in advertising while working on her Ph.D in Comparative Psychology from the University of Chicago. She also has a Master’s Degree with high honors in Comparative Human Development from the University of Chicago, a Master's Degree in Psychology from Northwestern University and a Bachelors Degree with honors from Boston College.

The recipient of numerous industry honors, Susan is a member of the YWCA's Academy of Women Achievers and was selected by Advertising Age as one of the best and brightest "women to watch." She was honored with the MATRIX Award for Women in Communications and has recently been recognized by Advertising Age as one of the “100 Most Influential Women in Advertising”. Susan served as a non-partisan advisor to George H.W. Bush’s Task Force on Terrorism from 1985-1992. She has published articles in professional journals focused on several psychological topics including the contributors to well-being and happiness. Susan is a Founding Member of Boston College’s Council on Women and received Boston College’s Excellence in Commerce Award.