Backing People, Building Culture: The Russ Bennett Way

Some people wait until an idea takes off. Others back it early, with kindness and quiet support.

We’re incredibly grateful to Russ Bennett, someone who believed in Dev Day before it had a stage or a name. He backed the idea with kindness and genuine encouragement, not for recognition, but because he believed in the power of bringing people together. That early support meant the world to us and it speaks volumes about the kind of leader he is.

With a background in software engineering and a career that’s seen him lead companies through startup chaos and global expansion, Russ brings humility, experience, and clarity to every room he's in.

We caught up with him to talk about his tech journey, leadership lessons, hiring philosophy, and why New Zealand might be small , but its innovation is mighty.

How did your journey in tech — and leadership — begin?

I started my career at Deloitte Consulting, working with early internet SaaS platforms and eBusiness solutions back when the internet was just becoming a real thing for businesses.

While I was there, we developed a corporate expense management platform that would later become Spendvision, and eventually Fraedom. In the early days, there were only three of us, so naturally you ended up wearing every hat and getting involved in all aspects of the business.

That experience pushed me into the role of CTO, and then ultimately CEO, during a time when we had over 450 people across 6 global offices. When you’re in a fast-growing startup, I guess you just fall into leadership by default rather than by design!

In 2021, after leaving Fraedom, I accepted the General Manager role at Plexure, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to lead the team on a new growth journey.

Russ Bennett, General Manager at Plexure

What inspired you to pursue a career in tech?

Poor eyesight!I originally had plans to become a fighter pilot, but struggling to read the blackboard in school put an end to that idea. So, I pivoted to software development.

I’d always enjoyed problem solving, and tech offered a tangible way to solve real-world business problems. Plus, the fast pace and constant evolution of the tech space kept things exciting — there’s always something new to learn.

What’s one key lesson you’ve learned as a tech leader in New Zealand?

Don’t underestimate the global potential of New Zealand-based talent and innovation.

We may live on the farthest edge of the world, but that doesn’t mean we can’t lead on the global stage. If you’ve got the right people and the right product, it doesn’t matter where you're based.

What emerging tech excites you the most right now?

AI is the obvious answer, but what really excites me is how it’s forcing all of us to rethink long-held assumptions. It’s an incredibly dynamic time to be alive — the pace of change is faster than it’s ever been, and it’s reshaping how we work, build, and think.

What makes a software engineer truly stand out?

To really stand out, you need to be a well-rounded person  not just a great coder.

Yes, technical skills matter, but more importantly you need to truly understand the problem you’re solving. And if you’re likeable and good at communicating with people? You’re already ahead of the curve.

What do you look for when hiring developers?

Cultural fit is critical.

After that, I look for great problem-solving ability, adaptability, and a growth mindset. You can teach technical skills but those foundational qualities are harder to learn. The right mindset makes all the difference.

What’s the biggest challenge tech companies face in NZ today?

Access to great senior talent.

Our growth has always come from a healthy mix of local and overseas talent, but we’re still feeling the effects of the pandemic and closed borders. The good news? It’s getting better, and NZ remains an attractive place for top-tier talent.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice?

Take more risks when you’re young. You’ve got fewer responsibilities, so it's the best time to try, fail, and learn.

Risk more, fail more and whatever happens, it’ll be alright in the end.

Russ Bennett on the mic! at Dev Day 2024

What’s your go-to productivity hack?

I always try to book meetings for 50 minutes, not 60.

That gives you 10 minutes between calls to reset, grab a coffee, or send a quick email. It helps avoid that "back-to-back" burnout and creates space for better thinking.

And how do you unwind outside of work?

I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so anything fast is my thing.Skydiving, jet skiing, racing around, that’s how I switch off and recharge.

Russ Bennett isn’t just a leader who’s grown businesses — he’s grown people, communities, and conversations. Whether it’s guiding teams at Plexure, scaling Fraedom to global success, or supporting events like Dev Day Aotearoa from the ground up, Russ leads with calm, purpose, and heart.

We’re lucky to have him in our corner and even luckier to keep learning from him.