Lauren Bates is the founder of Wild Terrains, an innovative women's travel company that collaborates with women entrepreneurs, chefs, artists, and designers around the world. Lauren always knew her most fulfilling travel experiences happened alongside inspiring women with important stories to tell, so she dreamt up Wild Terrains to share some of that magic.
More than seven years and hundreds of successful trips later, Lauren and Wild Terrains have been written about in The New York Times, Elle, Vogue, National Geographic & more.
Before launching Wild Terrains, she was the Chief Marketing Officer at flower delivery startup UrbanStems. Lauren is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with degrees in Mathematics, Spanish, and Financial Economics.
When she is not on the road, she calls Boulder, Colorado home. Because she spends so much time on the move, Lauren relishes quiet moments spent outdoors, preferably on a trail or paddle board with her husband Will and her dog Milo! You can follow Lauren at @laurenbatestravel.
Lauren Bates
FOUNDER & CEO
BOULDER, COLORADO
A NOTE FROM LAUREN
Hi! I’m Lauren, and I’m so glad you’re here :).
The idea for Wild Terrains came to me when I realized all of my fondest memories were anchored by fascinating women. From living with an artist in Buenos Aires (she’s now one of our Argentina partners!), to gathering friends for wine nights in my tiny Washington, DC apartment, I’ve always found happiness in women coming together for deep, soulful (and sometimes wine-fueled) conversations.
My realization led me on a search for a travel company that focused on just that: one that connected women of all ages and backgrounds on both sides of the exchange (travelers and locals). To my surprise, it didn’t exist!
So, with almost two decades of experience in branding and marketing under my belt, I built a travel company designed to create meaningful relationships that propel women forward. One that brings women together across borders and generations with the simple promise of amplifying who we are. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would grow into the community that we are today.
I’d love to welcome you on this journey with us. >>
xx
Lauren Bates
Founder, Wild Terrains
MAKING HEADLINES
Our founder Lauren has been featured in The New York Times, VOGUE, and ELLE as a change-maker in the travel industry and advocate for women entrepreneurs everywhere.
In 2025, Lauren made the Inc. 500 Female Founders list—and we couldn’t be prouder. From a wild idea to a global community of women traveling together, this recognition is just one more reminder that when women support women, big things happen.