Wendy is a tri-national (US/UK/NZ), internationally recognised expert in technology law, the use of computers in the law and information security practice.  However, in 2006, she decided to pursue her passion - cruising - and left her first career behind to re-tool for a new one by undertaking tourism qualifications at Otago University in New Zealand.  Wendy’s passion arises from her insatiable desire to meet new people, visit new places and experience what the world has to offer.  After living in five countries (the US, the Netherlands, England, Australia and New Zealand) and spending 25 years jumping on planes to the world’s main business cities, she and her husband, Terry Lealand, enjoy the pleasures of cruising and have sailed to every continent (including Antarctica).

Wendy’s background and experience is unique as a lawyer, technology expert and tourism professional.  She is one of a small club of lawyers who understands the commercial impact of legal policy and relationships in the computing and telecommunications areas and now combines her legal, IT and project management knowledge with her specialised knowledge of the cruise industry.

Wendy has extensive global networks in the cruise, legal, IT and business sectors, providing her with access to a wide range of internationally recognised expertise and resources.   

Wendy was the recipient of a $15,000 scholarship grant from the New Zealand Ministry of Tourism to support her Masters research (at Otago) on the development of a risk profile for the New Zealand cruise sector.  She is now a PhD candidate (also at Otago), investigating the impact of power structures in the cruise industry on New Zealand as a competitive and sustainable cruise destination.

Wendy is a distance learning student, often continuing her research and writing whilst at sea.

Much of Wendy’s inside knowledge of the cruise industry comes from her own 300+ days at sea