Carving a New Path | Women Designing for Women

WICC2025 Presentation by April Pottorff FAIA and Connie Hackman Rivinius (WICC2025-PID158)

Authors

April Pottorff FAIA

Principal, Justice+Civic Leader, DLR Group, USA

As a nationally recognized expert and leader focused exclusively on Justice Facility planning and design for the past 31 years, April advocates for a restorative, rehabilitative, and transformative justice system that strengthens communities, builds equity, and improves the experiences of justice-involved individuals.

Pottorff’s 31-year career includes award-winning projects across the United States such as the Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center (CO), Franklin County Court of Common Pleas (OH), Multnomah County Central Courthouse (OR), and the Travis County Civil and Family Court (TX). Additional projects include the State-wide Correctional Capital Master Plans for Ohio and North Dakota, Dallas County Juvenile Master Plan (TX), and the Baltimore Therapeutic Treatment Facility (MD). April’s work and advocacy in the justice arena earn her Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects.

She has also served in leadership roles with the American Institute of Architects Academy of Architecture for Justice as well as numerous board positions for civic and professional affiliations. She serves as a Technical Resource Provider for the National Institute of Corrections. April authors articles and regularly speaks at national conferences. Her work has been published and profiled in national journals and magazines. She received her Bachelor of Architecture professional degree from the University of Kansas in 1991 and her Master of Planning in Urban Design at City College, the City University of New York in 1992.

Connie Hackman Rivinius

Warden, Heart River Correctional Center, North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, USA

Much of Connie Hackman Rivinius’ s experience and career has been inspiring and leading high performing, engaged team members dedicated to transforming lives, influencing change, and strengthening community. She has served as Warden of the Heart River Correctional Center in Mandan for over three years. Her position oversees the state women’s correctional facility and women’s correctional system contracts.

Connie started her career in corrections in 1995 as a Correctional Officer at the North Dakota State Penitentiary. Positions held throughout her career in Bismarck and Jamestown include Correctional Case Worker, Lieutenant, Correctional Case Manager, Parole and Probation Officer, Training Director, Chief of Security, and Deputy Warden.

Connie is passionate about her career and finds it to be meaningful, purposeful, and loves focusing on facility culture. In her time away from the DOCR she enjoys raising her 3 sons with her husband who farms and ranches. Connie strongly believes in community involvement and public service. Along with assisting with her son’s school events and activities, she also serves as School Board President, District 28 Treasurer, Church Financial Audit Committee Chair, and 2024 President for the West Central Wardens and Superintendents Association. Warden Hackman Rivinius is deeply involved in the design and development of a new women’s correctional/transformational center for the state of ND which is focusing on public safety and staff wellness.

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