curated by GRRL! updated: January 28, 2026

Bio Excerpt: Laura Wanlass traded corporate boardrooms for desert checkpoints when she discovered the Rebelle Rally in 2018, launching an eight-year streak that’s made her one of the most accomplished competitors in the all-women’s off-road navigation challenge. The Washington-based lawyer has earned three podium finishes, including second place... (full bio below ↓↓)

Laura Wanlass

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Leadfoot Laura

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January 27, 1983 (43)

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(last updated 2026-01-26

Laura Wanlass is a Washington-based lawyer by day and one of the most accomplished competitors in Rebelle Rally history, with multiple podium finishes and eight consecutive years of competition in the grueling all-women’s off-road navigation challenge.

EARLY YEARS

Born in October 1960, Wanlass grew up with an adventurous spirit that would eventually lead her to some of the most challenging terrain in the American desert. She graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2008 and built a successful career as a Partner and Global Corporate Governance and ESG Consulting Practice Leader at Aon plc, based in Washington state. But the corner office wasn’t enough—Wanlass had a taste for adventure that couldn’t be satisfied behind a desk.

OTHER INTERESTS

When she’s not navigating boardroom politics or desert checkpoints, Wanlass is all about the outdoors. She’s an avid hiker and mountain biker who describes herself as a “glass half full kind of person” and a lifelong learner. She loves problem-solving—which is handy when you’re lost in the desert with nothing but a map and compass—and living life to its fullest with family and friends in the western states. In a fun twist of athletic history, she was one of the first competitive female pole vaulters in the United States, proving early on that she wasn’t afraid to launch herself into uncharted territory.

EARLY SUCCESS

Wanlass discovered the Rebelle Rally in 2018 after stumbling across the YouTube series “ExpeditionOverland.” Inspired by the footage of women tackling an eight-day, GPS-free navigation rally across some of the most unforgiving desert terrain in the American Southwest, she signed up for her first competition that same year as a rookie. Partnered with Penny Dale—another first-timer—Wanlass drove a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and immediately proved she had the chops for rally competition. The Rebelle Rally isn’t your average off-road race; it’s a precision navigation challenge where competitors use only maps, compasses, and roadbooks to find checkpoints scattered across 1,500 miles of desert. No GPS. No pre-running. Just grit, strategy, and the ability to read terrain like it’s your job.

For Wanlass, a lawyer used to high-stakes problem-solving, the rally was an entirely different kind of rush. “You’re truly present, you have no other thoughts, nothing creeps in,” she explained. It’s a mental state most people spend thousands on therapy trying to achieve—Wanlass found it in a Jeep, in the middle of nowhere.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

2018: Competed in first Rebelle Rally as a rookie driver with navigator Penny Dale in a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon[1].
2019: Returned to the Rebelle Rally with partner Renee Vento, driving a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon[2].
2020: Competed with navigator Wendy Fisher in a 2020 Jeep Gladiator[3].
2021: Earned third place overall in the 4×4 class and won the Maxtrax Contingency award with Maria Guitar[4].
2022: Achieved second place overall in the 4×4 class and won the Pirelli Contingency with Maria Guitar[5].
2023: Finished third place in the 4×4 class with Maria Guitar, driving a Ford Bronco Raptor as part of Ford’s official sponsorship team[6].
2024: Competed with navigator Penny Dale in a 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor, finishing fourth in the 4×4 class with a score of 1,279 points (84%)[7].
2025: Currently competing in her eighth consecutive Rebelle Rally with Penny Dale in a 2025 Ford Bronco Raptor in the Stock Class[8].

INSPIRATIONS

Wanlass credits the “ExpeditionOverland” YouTube series as the spark that ignited her rally career. The footage of adventure, navigation, and teamwork spoke to something deep in her—proof that you don’t need to be 25 to start something bold. She’s also drawn to the spirit of the Rebelle Rally itself: a competition that values precision, strategy, and resilience over raw speed. It’s not about who has the fastest truck; it’s about who can read a map, manage fatigue, and make smart decisions when everything around you looks exactly the same. For someone who spent years mastering the intricacies of corporate governance, that challenge was irresistible.

REPUTATION

With eight consecutive Rebelle Rally competitions under her belt and three podium finishes, Wanlass is considered one of the most consistent and experienced competitors in the event’s history. She’s earned respect not just for her results, but for her approach: steady, smart, and unshakable. Ford Performance recognized her talent and brought her onto their official sponsorship team, where she’s competed alongside other top female off-road drivers. Her ability to balance a high-powered career with elite-level rally competition has made her a role model for women who refuse to choose between professional success and personal passion. She’s proof that you can be a corporate leader and a desert racer—and you don’t have to apologize for either.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

As of 2025, Wanlass is competing in her eighth Rebelle Rally with longtime friend and fellow competitor Penny Dale. The duo is racing in the Stock Class aboard a 2025 Ford Bronco Raptor, aiming to add another podium finish to their already impressive record. With nearly a decade of rally experience and a knack for staying cool under pressure, Wanlass shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, she’s just getting started.