Dr Garth Bennie was the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Disability Support Network, the peak body for disability providers across New Zealand. He has been retained in a role as project manager for some workforce related projects. Dr Bennie was previously a District Manager for Special Education with the Ministry of Education and has also held a number of other senior roles focusing on the disability sector and special education. He gained his PhD in social work and social policy with a focus on disability studies.

Garth is currently a director of Careerforce, the industry training organisation for the health, wellbeing, social and community sectors and has previously held directorships with a number of other organisations focusing on the disability sector.