Ms. April J Lander, MEM, AM ASCE is a global leader who makes life better. She has extensive experience in strategic advising, establishment and directing community assistance programs, and managing change to improve quality of life and the environment. April is currently working to transform the New Zealand government-funded disability support system. This is a world first, fundamental shift to give people with disabilities greater choice and control over their lives that is based on self-determination and a person-centered, whole-life approach.

April is known for taking on unprecedented challenges.  She led work relating to the development of a first ever earthquake land repair process after the devastating Christchurch earthquakes in New Zealand. Furthermore, in her role as the President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) New Zealand Group she brought together eminent engineers and other professionals from around the world to build an international framework for cooperation on earthquake and rebuild activities. April also actively participated in the development of the first standard in the world for comprehensive international transboundary water quality management for use by sovereign nations and local/regional governments that manage shared water resources.

As an international expert in water planning and financing, transboundary environmental impact assessment, and sustainable development, April was instrumental in creating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) framework for environmental infrastructure certification in the US/Mexico border area for the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) and North American Development Bank (NADB). Her work resulted in the BECC being the first institution in the world to require infrastructure projects to meet sustainable development criteria as well as other criteria ensuring transparency and public participation. To date, 243 projects have been certified, having an infrastructure investment of 7 billion US dollars in the US/Mexico border region, and benefiting the environment and health of 17.5 million people. BECC and NADB recently highlighted two decades of results including 21 drinking water treatment plants, 40 drinking water distribution systems, 61 wastewater treatment plants, and 99 wastewater collection systems, 16 municipal landfills, 12 dump sites closed, 9 million m2 paved, and the creation of 1,450 MWAC of new renewable energy capacity.

Whether environmental, engineering or working with the disabled, April’s work has global impacts. For example, 20 years ago requiring projects to meet sustainable development criteria and certification programs was unheard of. Today these are commonplace around the world.  April believes in the future that self-management of support funding by disabled people could also be the norm internationally.