Today, we’re beyond thrilled to share that our beloved CEO, Soche Picard, has been named a She Runs It Working Mother of the Year in the Trailblazer category—a well-earned honor for a leader who proves every day that being a working parent, values-based leader, and a powerhouse executive can live hand in hand.
Redefining Commerce and Doing It Her Way
Since taking the reins as CEO in 2018, Soche has put her stamp on Arc in big ways.
She spearheaded our repositioning around the promise of delivering Irresistible Commerce — a game-changing proposition that led to major new business wins and boosted our client portfolio by over 150%. Soche also successfully led the integration of the Epsilon and Catapult agencies into Arc. This integration of data and creative talent helped shape our global commerce offering and contributed to Publicis Groupe being named a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Commerce Services in 2024.
But just as importantly, she’s made sure Arc isn’t just a place where great work happens—it’s a place where people want to be. The proof? We were named to the AdAge Best Places to Work list.
Championing Working Parents (Because She’s Been There)
“In the early days of my career, I remember people being apologetic for being a mom. That never sat right with me,” says Soche. “Parenting and professional growth aren’t at odds—they fuel each other.”
It’s a belief Soche learned early on as she saw her own mother Marilyn Picard — a single, working mom — seamlessly interweave her love of family with her career as a print producer.
Today, Soche puts those beliefs to work as Executive Sponsor of ParentKind, an employee resource group dedicated to making life easier for working parents and caregivers. From rallying agency support for childcare solutions during teacher strikes to fostering a culture where parents feel empowered to show up fully—at work and at home—she’s always in our corner.
A Trailblazer in Leadership—and Life
Soche’s not just leading in the office—she’s inspiring in every aspect of her life.
With her partner Mike Joyce, Soche is an engaged and loving parent to a blended family of four boys. As Mike puts it, “I see the way he peers look to her, it’s the same way our boys look up to her. They are the looks of admiration of a leader that affectionately challenges, cheers, protects, and inspires.”
A recent breast cancer survivor, Soche has also become a champion of Publicis Groupe’s Working with Cancer initiative and a tireless advocate for breast cancer awareness and fundraising.
Walking the Walk
Finally, Soche’s leadership isn’t about just saying the right things—it’s about doing them. Whether she’s cheering at her sons’ lacrosse games, mentoring rising talent, advocating for work-life balance, or pushing the industry forward with fresh thinking, she’s all in. And that’s exactly why this honor is so fitting.
We couldn’t be prouder to see Soche recognized for the impact she’s making—not just at Arc, but across the industry. Congratulations, Soche!
