April has served in Iraq as the Director of the Constitutional Support Program with the National Democratic Institute. Previously she served as a Senior Legislative Drafting Expert in Baghdad (under contract with SUNY-Albany). In her current position, April led NDI's efforts to support the drafting of the Iraqi constitution and is now conducting workshops and training programs on the use of law to promote democratic social change for Iraq's newly elected Council of Representatives.

April also served as Deputy Legal Counsel to Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and has taught courses on law and social policy, law and development, human rights and conflict for Brandeis University's Heller School of Sustainable International Development. April worked as the Director of Combined Programs in Ethics, Inclusion and Social Justice at the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life. Her major project in this capacity was the development of a new international judicial institute. She also directed the Project on Inclusion and Social Justice, formerly the Dean's Initiative on Inclusion and Social Justice. Her background includes experience as a constitutional, civil and human rights appellate attorney in California.

April's work focuses on the practical application of critical theory to substantive issues in social policy and jurisprudence. Her research focuses on the nexus between law, human rights, culture, conflict transformation and sustainable development.

Ms. Powell-Willingham received her J.D. and M.A. in Urban Planning (international development) from the University of California, Los Angeles.