Business Student turns Social Entrepreneurship into an art

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Macquarie student Jackson Vanharte has two passions: art and volunteering. After combining them to create Frontier Collection, an initiative designed to provide a sustainable income for artists while supporting humanitarian causes, he was supported by Masters of Social Entrepreneurship students and Associate Professor Debbie Haski-Leventhal from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM). Here’s his story.

International Business and Communications student Jackson Vanharte’s fridge is covered in drawings and letters from dozens of Cambodian orphans.

There’s seven-year old Srey*, who alongside her nine-year old brother Kolab, was abandoned by their mother and found going through garbage.

Devi*, an eight-year-old who was addicted to inhaling industrial solvent.

Chandra*, whose parents both died from HIV.

“Forty percent of the population of Cambodia is under the age of 20,” says Jackson. “If there aren’t initiatives to support younger demographics…” he trails off. “You get the picture.”

Jackson knew he had to do something and when he combined his passions for art and volunteering, an idea was born. Jackson set out to create a business that provides a sustainable income for artists in the developing world while simultaneously supporting humanitarian causes.

Through the university’s Global Leader Program (GLP) Jackson attended the ‘Be the change you want to see in the world: Social Entrepreneurship’ colloquia hosted by Associate Professor Debbie Haski-Leventhal. The GLP is an extracurricular program that enhances the study experience and develops leadership skills.

Debbie recalls meeting Jackson at the colloquium, “It’s so exciting and inspiring to see a student at Macquarie doing amazing things,” she enthuses.

The Masters of Social Entrepreneurship students at MGSM offered Jackson a free consultation and a business plan to help him grow Frontier Collection.

“Jackson is an inspiration,” says Jennifer Lee, one of Debbie’s students who helped Jackson. “He showed that regardless of our age, life experience and resources that we start with, we can make a positive difference.”

The assistance provided by Jennifer and others involved in the MGSM consulting project allowed Jackson to propel Frontier Collection into the next stage of development.

“It opened up the floodgates to all these ideas and different directions I can take Frontier,” he says.

Funds raised since have helped pay for food, drinking water, healthcare expenses and school supplies for Srey and the other orphans.

For Debbie, leading this program and teaching corporate social responsibility is so rewarding.

“I may never be the CEO of a big company as my passion lies in guiding the hearts and minds of future CEOs. Along with the coursework, I teach them values like empathy and integrity to ensure that when they are in a position to make a difference, they can do it in a way that contributes to a better society. Every day I come across amazing businesses that are making a real difference, not just making a profit,” she says.

“Whatever you do, you have the ability to use your role and your abilities to make a difference. To know that as a teacher and a researcher that you can make a difference is really rewarding. And I think the biggest impact is making a difference in someone else’s life. That’s what gives your life meaning,” Debbie adds.


Support Frontier Collection by purchasing artwork, becoming an Ambassador or signing up for updates.

Macquarie Graduate School of Management and Macquarie University are proud to be co-delivering Australia’s first Master of Social Entrepreneurship, designed to develop leaders who are able to use business strategies, knowledge, tools and entrepreneurial spirit to address complex societal and environmental needs.

*Names of all children changed.

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  1. I myself Cambodian, and a fresh graduate from Macquarie University residing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is pleased to see and forever grateful for your time to be here , to inspire and to share love to those who need. Thank you so much.

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