Force de Fem stands for woman power in a male-dominated work environment. The team is sponsored by Magna International and is sending two of its female employees on this amazing journey. This year we, Andrea and Elena, get to represent our employer at the Rebelle Rally. Though we applied independently and were strangers before, we quickly discovered that we’re a dream team in the making. Elena’s off-road rally driving expertise combined with Andrea’s exceptional navigation skills make us a formidable pair. As rookies from overseas, we’re bursting with excitement to represent Germany and make our mark at the rally!
Magna International
I'm a Project Engineer with Magna Engineering & Infotainment GmbH in Munich, Germany. Even tough it does not pay my bills, I also spent lots of my free time with the girls scouts. As a young child, I loved being outdoors with the scouts and experiencing adventures in nature. As i grew older, I led a group of 8-15 children myself. Later on, I took on a role on the board, and it was a pleasure to support youth work, enabling young generations of children to have these wonderful experiences. Being a scout is not just a hobby to me. It has shaped my attitude towards many things, such as being helpful, looking out for all member of a group, and being responsible with nature.
Munich, Germany
Westphalian University of Applied Sciences in Bocholt, Germany (Bachelor of Science in Biomimetics) and Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg (Master of Engineering in Lightweight Construction and Fiber Composite Technology)
"Take it, change it, or leave it."
When I got the chance to participate in the rally for Magna International, I just had to take it. I see it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that helps you grow beyond your limits and one that you'll never forget.
People who enjoy and appreciate the little things in life, and try to focus on the positive point of view
“Let’s Dance” – I love dancing 🙂
Sailing from Hamburg, Germany to London, UK with everything that comes with it: sailing through the night, seeing bioluminescence, managing tide navigation, surviving a storm where almost the entire crew got seasick, and finally sailing up the Thames into the city harbor, where we docked right next to the Tower Bridge.
I live close to the Alps and love hiking there. The mountains and nature are a great escape from everyday life. What fascinates me the most is standing on a peak at sunrise und witnessing the day slowly breaking. Besides the mountains, I also love being on the water and going sailing. There are many different areas for sailing and everyone has its own charm. And the best feeling ever: when you hoist the sails, turn off the engine, and thre tranquility of sailing takes over, with the view of the horizon making you just feel great.
I don't have any notable motorsport history to brag about. Instead, I'm the ultimate rookie. However, I bring a lot of skills that are useful for the rally, like navigation experiences, technical know-how, and a problem solving mindset. I think being completely new to the rally scene has it's perks too; I'm open to trying new approaches and maybe even tackling things in unconventional ways.
The first car I bought was a Honda Accord in the sport edition with a rear spoiler, leather seats, and lower suspension. My friend and I bought it during a work and travel stay in New Zealand, and to be honest, we chose it just because the previous owner had taken good care of it and it was in excellent condition . Still, we always turned heads while driving, and most people probably expected a young guy behind the wheel instead of the two of us girls. It was a lot of fun to drive, though.
I'm a Talent Management Specialist at Magna, which means I help people grow in their careers.
Wertheim, Germany
I've got a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a Major in Human Resources from Hochschule Heilbronn
"Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning." — William Arthur Ward
I’m terrified of spiders - yet I once had one as a pet in an attempt to get over my phobia.
For me it's a fantastic chance to push my limits even further, seeing what I can do that I wouldn't have thought possible, while also having the experience of a lifetime! Why now? An opportunity presented itself, with Magna sponsoring this event as my employer, and I realized that if I don't try it, I would regret it forever.
My favourite show is Only Murders In The Building, can’t wait for the next season to drop! One of my favourite authors is Holly Bourne, and for podcasts it would be Fest & Flauschig, a German podcast that my boyfriend and me like to listen to on road trips.
Probably moving halfway around the world from Germany to Canada for a year. Leaving everything behind, if only temporarily, to make way for new friends, amazing experiences and lots and lots of personal development.
Definitely the exploring the world part, having fun and making memories. Winning the International Cup would be the cherry on top :)
I love learning new things and taking up new hobbies! In the last couple of years I started surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding and also learned to knit, crochet and bake sourdough bread from scratch. I love reading, hiking and travelling, too! I am also a passionate baker and have made wedding cakes for lots of friends. The most recent addition to my growing list of passions is hot yoga.
I grew up surrounded by motorcycles—both of my parents rode, and my brother started Motocross when we were kids. Naturally, I was fascinated by the thrill (and the discipline) of riding and got my own license at 16. Motorcycles taught me two things that I’m carrying into Rebelle: first, the excitement of pushing myself beyond my comfort zone, and second, the importance of respect—respect for the machine, the terrain, and the challenge. That balance of excitement and humility is exactly how I’m approaching Rebelle.
I just wrapped up a one-year assignment in Canada, and moving to a new country itself was already a big adventure. While there, I made it my mission to experience as much as possible: hiking, exploring small towns, chasing waterfalls, and even finding hidden gems my Canadian colleagues had never heard of. They joked that in just one year I had seen more of Ontario than they had in their whole lives, which I took as the best compliment to my sense of adventure.
One of my most memorable car moments happened with my very first car, a little Fiat Punto, when I was moving to Heilbronn for university. Out of nowhere, the muffler dropped off on the Autobahn, just hanging by a rubber strap! We had to pull over on the shoulder, and my boyfriend crawled underneath to remove it completely. I drove the rest of the way without an exhaust - let’s just say it was extremely loud, maybe not entirely legal, but it felt like I was in a race car for a moment. It taught me early on that cars have a way of surprising you, and you’ve got to keep a sense of humor (and a bit of resourcefulness) to get through it.
