A fond farewell to our Story Hubs Manager and Co-Founder Jessica Tran

Jessica Tran at the Carlton PS Story Hub launch in 2023. Image by Gianna Rizzo

Our incredible Story Hubs Manager and Co-Founder Jessica Tran, has announced that she’ll be leaving 100 Story Building at the end of the year. Jess has been with 100 Story Building from the very beginning, being one of the three co-founders, who dreamt up a place where young people could come, write, play and let their imaginations run free with characters and stories. Through this shared vision our organisation has blossomed into the thriving centre for creativity it is today.

“Jess has poured her heart and soul into supporting children's agency and voice and creativity for over a decade. In doing this work, she has had an impact on countless young lives, and helped shift the way systems and institutions engage with children and young people.

She has fostered deep community partnerships, challenged thinking about what young people are capable of, developed and delivered innovative and exciting programs, and fought fearlessly for real and meaningful community-led and co-designed work.”

- Lachlann Carter, 100 Story Building Co-Founder and CEO until 2021

Jess has brought leadership, academic cred, loads of creativity, and initiative to our organisation, the impact she has had on our team and the wider community through the Story Hubs program - which began as a seed idea in 2017 to co-create an imaginative space for children and young people in the community has been truly extraordinary.

“Jess’s unwavering vision for equity and creativity in education is what drew me to Level 100, and I’m so grateful for the three years I was able to explore and be inspired by the very special places and experiences that 100 Story Building creates. There aren’t many organisations like 100 Story Building in the world, and there aren’t many people like Jess. I know that whatever Jess does next will change people’s lives for the better and bring new joy and inspiration to the world.”

- Susan Kukucka, 100 Story Building CEO until July 2024

Jess’s story now will be finishing her PhD, which is about Story Hubs! So, she isn’t going too far, in fact stepping away so that she can continue digging, down down down below the 100 levels to find out even more.

"As a co-founder, Jess has been so central to everything 100 Story Building has been able to accomplish across its journey. Her passion for the arts and for authentic creative practice have been infused into the ethos of our organisation and fabric of all our programs. So, going forward, this legacy will continue to inform everything we do. We look forward to exchanging stories with Jess in the years to come."

- Abhilash Mudaliar, 100 Story Building Interim CEO until January 2025

A big thanks from the very bottom of our building and each of the levels above for everything you’ve gifted us Jess, we will miss you greatly and continue to be inspired by your contribution to 100 Story Building for years to come.

Jess will finish up as Story Hubs Manager on the 17th December. Details about recruitment of the role will be announced next year, so stay tuned.