Our Story
Our journey begun with a shared vision of ambition and innovation.
This is a tale of vision, determination, and relentless pursuit of a dream that has now grown into a thriving reality.
Meet Mariah and Gabi, two brilliant minds with a shared passion for making a difference. They both possess an innate ability to identify opportunities in even the most challenging situations, and believed that by combining their strengths, they could create something extraordinary.
Their journey towards founding Benjicare was filled with inspiration, setbacks, and unwavering resilience.
They met working for the same company and quickly realised not only that they worked very well together, but also how much difference they could make together.
Their idea was simple yet revolutionary: to transform the lives of individuals with disabilities by providing them with a touch of luxury and a dash of innovation, offering not just daily support, but also travel experiences, luxury adaptive vehicles, lifestyle assistants, and experiences that seamlessly merged style and accessibility.
They believed that people with disabilities deserved not just basic access but the same luxurious experiences that others enjoyed. True luxury was not just about opulence and extravagance but about the freedom to live life on one's terms.
As their dream evolved into a reality, the duo's commitment to their mission never wavered. They assembled a passionate team, each member sharing their vision for a world where discovering new possibilities never stops.
Mariah and Gabi's story is a testament to the power of vision, determination, and the pursuit of one's dreams. It serves as an inspiration not only for Benjicare's team but they also remind us that with passion and unwavering commitment, we can turn our dreams into reality.
Benjicare's team has created a world where disability was not an obstacle but a unique facet of the human experience. Mariah and Gabi have proven that the true luxury of life was the opportunity to live it fully, regardless of the challenges that might come one's way.
Benjicare was named after Benjamin Hartshorn, aka. Benji, Mariah's miniature schnauzer, who sadly passed away in 2023.
Click here to read more about Benji.
Mariah Hartshorn
CEO Business Operations
Dr Gabi Anderson-Courtney
CEO Business Strategy
Shane Courtney
Chief Financial Officer
Lilla Anderson
Marketing and Social Media Manager
Mariah is dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals and families, with extensive experience in NDIS, aged care, and child safety. She holds a Diploma of Community Welfare, a Certificate III in Individual Support, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessing, and various certifications in areas like dementia, palliative care, conflict resolution.
Mariah’s roles as a tertiary educator, national critical response advisor, and federal advisor in 2023 highlight her expertise. Her commitment to justice is evident in her collaboration with the Australian police from 2018 to 2023, advocating for the vulnerable and holding offenders accountable.
Mariah has over 10 years’ experience in operations and management of day services, in-home care, community access and various other programs such as SIL, SRS, SDA, STA and MTA, ECEI at a national level. Mariah envisions that through Benjicare, everyone—regardless of age, gender, race, or disability—can reach their full potential and enjoy life's finer things.​
Gabi is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities.
For over 30 years she has been a respected business leader with exceptional service delivery and making a real difference in people’s lives.
Gabi holds a PhD in Philosophy, a Masters in Social Media Marketing, a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and a diploma in Tourism. Her career spans both in the private and public sector in Queensland and Western Australia, as well as in the UK, Italy, across Asia and the Middle East in a diverse range of industries.
Gabi’s superpower is using a blend of positive psychology, neuroscience and a lot of her experience to make a positive impact in the lives of the clients of Benjicare.
Creating positive change and encouraging clients to try new and ground-breaking techniques takes a strength-based approach to be able to deal more effectively and successfully with any challenge.
Shane has a proven executive management track record of over 30 years, and extensive knowledge and experience with accounting, information technology, as well as all general business services.
As the Chief Financial Officer at Benjicare, Shane plays a pivotal role in guiding the company's financial strategies and decisions. He is responsible for overseeing financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, ensuring that the company is positioned for long-term financial success. Shane is also a key contributor to Benjicare’s executive team, providing insights and recommendations that influence critical decisions.
Known for his ability to streamline financial operations, optimize resource allocation, and mitigate financial risks, Shane has a reputation for delivering consistent financial growth and profitability. He is not only a financial expert but also a strategic thinker who can adapt to changing market dynamics and industry trends.
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Lilla is the driving force behind Benjicare’s marketing strategies; she is a professional with a proven track record in the dynamic world of social media and marketing. With a passion for innovation, Lilla is hands-on, dynamic and results-driven with great passion for crafting compelling digital narratives. With a deep love for all things marketing and a genuine enthusiasm for creating engaging social media experiences, she is dedicated to helping Benjicare thrive.
Lilla believes in the power of innovation and constantly seeks new ways to enhance Benjicare’s marketing strategies.
Lilla’s specialities are social media, public relations, design, photography and video, and digital media editing.
Lilla is passionate about our brand and dedicated to making a lasting impact in the ever-evolving marketing world, while maximizing the potential of Benjicare.
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