Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2026 Women in Retail honorees in the July edition of the magazine and will be posting Q&As with each of these outstanding leaders on the website. Next up, in alphabetical order by first name, is Sara Hoagey, CEO of eliteBDC.

The Women in Retail program is presented by CarGurus.

What prompted/inspired you to join the auto industry and what do you enjoy most about it?
What inspired me to join the auto industry was actually my own car-buying experience. In 1999, while working as a teller in the banking industry, I purchased a vehicle entirely online. At the time, negotiating a deal through phone calls and email felt exciting and innovative. I even added my trade-in at the last minute and arranged for the dealership to bring the vehicle to me for a test drive, so I never had to step foot in the dealership until delivery.

During the delivery, the sales manager offered me an opportunity to sell cars, and I’ve never looked back since.

I enjoy helping people find a vehicle they truly love while creating a positive, enjoyable buying experience. I enjoy sharing my knowledge over the past 20 years.  I take pride in making sure the customer is happy, the dealership is successful, and everyone walks away feeling good about the process. Buying a car is a major milestone, and I believe it should be exciting and FUN!

What is the top trend you’re watching in the used-car industry this year?
One of the top trends I’m watching in the used-car industry this year is the rapid advancement of AI-driven technology. I’ve been fortunate to see the technical side of the business in beta before many of these tools are released to the market, and it’s incredible to watch how quickly AI is evolving.

For example, AI can now price a vehicle, book it out, and generate a complete used-vehicle description in vAuto in less than a minute. The speed and efficiency are impressive and have the potential to transform dealership operations. At the same time, I believe these tools still require strong human oversight to ensure accuracy, consistency, and authenticity. It’s exciting technology, but it also highlights the importance of balancing automation with experience and accountability.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
The accomplishment I’m most proud of in my career is being able to maintain a strong, healthy marriage and raise two wonderful daughters while leading and growing a large company. Success in business is meaningful, but being present for my family and building a life grounded in faith and values has always been my greatest priority.

Professionally, I’m also proud that our company has continued to grow more profitable year after year. None of that happens alone, and I’m incredibly grateful for the teammates I’ve been blessed to work alongside. I truly believe God places us where we are needed most, and for me, that purpose has always been centered around serving others, supporting our team, and creating positive experiences for the people we help every day.

What book, film or song has inspired you personally or professionally?
I recently read “The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey” and I highly recommend it. It’s a quick read and provides Managers with a roadmap for accountability, success, and efficiency. It’s also a very quick read.

I have too many movies and songs to list.

Who is someone who has inspired you personally or professionally?
The person who has inspired me the most, both personally and professionally, is my husband, Todd. He has been an incredible source of strength, wisdom, and support throughout my life and career. I always recommend marrying someone who makes you the best version of yourself and challenges you to grow ever day. Never settle!

With more than 35 years in the automotive industry, he brings a wealth of experience and perspective that has been invaluable to me over the years.

Todd has a way of grounding me and helping me see situations more clearly, especially when I’m facing difficult decisions or uncertain about the next step. We often joke that he is the “yin to my yang” because we approach challenges from very different perspectives, yet those differences complement each other perfectly. Together, we’ve been able to navigate opportunities thoughtfully and make decisions that have positively shaped both our business and our lives.