From communications leader to co-founder, mentor to mom, and advisor to corporate board member, Sarah Hofstetter is fueled by a relentless curiosity.

“I’ve always been fascinated by how things work,” Hofstetter says.

When business patterns or processes break down, she doesn’t wait for outside solutions. Instead, she dives in headfirst, viewing every operational challenge as a fresh opportunity to learn a new role and build something better.

For over 25 years, Hofstetter’s career has defined what it means to operate at the intersection of emerging technology and shifting consumer behavior. She has consistently guided global brands through major industry inflection points.

At 37Arc, a company she co-founded, Hofstetter and her co-founders harness the power of AI to optimize the “invisible workflows” of marketing, automating heavy project management so professionals can return to what they do best: actual, creative marketing.

Cultivating a Journalist Mindset and Structural Change

Hofstetter’s proudest professional milestones aren’t tied to economic metrics; they are rooted in people and progress. During her tenure leading 360i—the award-winning digital agency renowned for helping massive Fortune 500 brands navigate the dawn of social media—she made people development a priority.

Her impact is equally structural. After navigating a restrictive six-week maternity leave early in her own career, Hofstetter used her rise to executive leadership to institute robust, progressive parental leave policies. For her, paving a smoother path for the next generation of working parents remains a landmark achievement.

The Power of Community and “Brain Jujitsu”

As a long-time member and champion of New York Women in Communications (NYWICI), Hofstetter emphasizes that professional networks are critical lifelines. Recalling her early days as often the only woman in the boardroom, she views platforms like the Matrix Awards as vital ecosystems for scholarships, sponsorship, and mentorship.

“You have to embrace the fact that change is constant,” Hofstetter notes. “Standing still is going backwards.”

Now balancing her role at 37Arc with advisory work for BCG and board positions at Campbell’s and Kenvue, Hofstetter describes her high-velocity days as “jujitsu for the brain.” Over time, her definition of success has intentionally evolved. Today, her barometers are simple: Am I having fun? and Am I helping other people grow?

For the next generation navigating an unpredictable media landscape, Hofstetter offers a reminder that careers are rarely linear.

“Don’t take it too seriously,” she says. “Find people who will hold up a mirror to you to help you see the bad and the ugly—but most importantly, to help you see your own good.”