Literacy social enterprise for Victorian youth, children names new CEO

Susan Kukucka has today been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of 100 Story Building, the home of storymaking and creative discovery for Victorian children.

Ms Kukucka joins 100 Story Building with almost two decades of experience in the arts and cultural sectors. She most recently served as Executive Director of Experimenta, a Melbourne-based organisation dedicated to contemporary art driven by technology.

“When I immigrated to Melbourne’s west with my family as a young child, books and stories were my roadmap to a new world and a never-ending source of hope and joy,” said Kukucka.

“I’d have loved a place like 100 Story Building to encourage me to share my voice. Now as CEO, I’m dedicated to doing exactly this for the bright minds, vivid imaginations and brilliant ideas of young Australians,” she said.

Prior to Experimenta, Susan held leadership roles at the State Library of Queensland, producing hundreds of public engagement programs designed to share the stories of both SLQ’s collections and its communities. Programs included the Young Writers Awards, Poetry Slams, MOTH storytelling events, learning programs, festivals, and exhibitions.

She has worked in cultural policy and youth policy with Brisbane City Council, and as a cultural researcher and writer with organisations including the Australia Council, Queensland University of Technology, and Griffith University.

“There’s never been a more exciting time for 100 Story Building”, said Board Chair Sandeep Varma. “Susan Kukucka brings a dynamic combination of skills, vision, poise, executive experience and heart to the CEO role.

Besides her work in social enterprises, Kukucka has also worked in cultural policy and youth policy with Brisbane City Council, and as a cultural researcher and writer with organisations including the Australia Council, Queensland University of Technology, and Griffith University.

“Leaders like Susan are rare to find. She’s warm like Matilda, as authentic as Lizzie Bennett, smarter than Hermione, committed to diversity impact and community like Evelyn Scott and Mikaela Jade, creative and smart like Mem Fox, and knows how to achieve long-term outcomes for children and young people.”

Susan Kukucka officially commences in the CEO role on 12 July 2021.

100 Story Building has been serving Victorian children and youth in 2012 by co-founders Jenna Williams, Jessica Tran, and outgoing CEO Lachlann Carter. Over the past decade more than 40,000 children and young people – many from marginalised communities – have participated in programs that champion creative risk-taking.

This year marks an exciting new era for 100 Story Building, with its Story Hubs embassies and a soon-to-be-released online portal set to take the organisation’s unique impact and creative magic to schools and young people Australia-wide.

Paulo Rizal

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Paulo Rizal is a content producer for Third Sector news. He has working experience in journalism, SEO, and social media marketing.

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