Professor Margaret Gardner AC, is the founder of the Monash Commission and the Executive Sponsor of the 2021 inquiry. Professor Gardner is a social scientist with a particular interest in industrial relations and human resource management. Professor Gardner previously served in executive positions with The University of Queensland and Griffith University. Immediately prior to coming to Monash, Professor Gardner was the Vice-Chancellor and President of Melbourne's RMIT University for nine years. Professor Gardner became the ninth Vice-Chancellor of Monash University on 1 September, 2014. Professor Gardner is Chair of the Group of Eight Universities and on the Boards of Infrastructure Victoria, and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG). In November 2019, Professor Gardner was appointed Chair of CASE Asia-Pacific Regional Council. In January 2020, Professor Gardner was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her eminent service to tertiary education through leadership and innovation in teaching and learning, research and financial sustainability.