Who We Are

KeeKee’s Big Adventures is the award-winning kids and family travel entertainment company created to spark curiosity and inspire an appreciation for the people, places, and cultures of our great, big, wonderful world!

With globe-trotting KeeKee as our guide, we’re helping children develop a global worldview early in life. Studies show that exposing children to other cultures through travel and education excites their natural curiosity, enhances their acceptance of diversity, and builds compassion, empathy, and open-mindedness. By nurturing these qualities, we believe these young explorers will grow to make our world a better, more inclusive place for everyone.

Growing up, Shannon’s Mom was a flight attendant, and the traveling we did as a family opened my eyes, ears, and mind to the world in a way that has inspired me my whole life.

When Shannon and Paul lived in Amsterdam with their real-life calico kitty, KeeKee, the idea for KeeKee’s Big Adventures was born! To introduce children and families to other places, cultures, languages, people, food, and more through KeeKee, the cute, relatable character in an all-animal world.

It all started with the award-winning picture book series, KeeKee’s Big Adventures. And now, there’s more to help you and your family travel, learn and explore.

KeeKee YouTube Channel: Explore with KeeKee in her Fun Fact video series for the whole family.

KeeKee’s Big Adventures Family Travel Podcast: Created to inspire and help plan your family’s next big adventure, there are over 70+ episodes on the top-ranked podcast featuring Travel Moms and Travel Experts.

Activities for Kids and Adults: Fun, educational, and free to download.

Travel content and additional products to help you dream, plan, and get the most out of your adventures, as well as our partnership with many AAA Family Travel Clubs with KeeKee as their Official Family Travel Mascot.

The KeeKee Team

Shannon Jones
Co-Founder, CEO

Shannon is the co-creator, founder and ceo of KeeKee’s Big Adventures, the award-winning family travel entertainment brand. It all started when she wrote the first KeeKee’s Big Adventures picture book. Her love of travel began at a young age. It opened her eyes and ears to the world. Living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with real-life KeeKee, the idea for KeeKee’s Big Adventures was born. After over twenty-five years in marketing leadership positions for global brands like Starbucks, she is now full-time (at the ripe young age of 50) building KeeKee’s Big Adventures through media, partnerships, and so much more to come.

Paul Williams
Co-Founder

Paul is the co-creator and chief creative officer for KeeKee’s Big Adventures. Back in the day, Paul penned a comic strip for his hometown newspaper. Published for eight years, the strip started weekly and ultimately appeared six times a week alongside Peanuts and Garfield. Paul has over 30 years marketing and branding experience and started his own firm, Idea Sandbox, in 2005.

Casey Uhelski
Super-Talented Illustrator

Casey is the character designer and illustrator for KeeKee’s Big Adventures. She has provided illustrations for all the award-winning KeeKee’s Big Adventures books – and more. As a little girl, she loved books, doodling, and daydreaming, and she is happily pursuing her career as a graphic designer and children’s book illustrator.

Heather Downey
Charismatic Voice Actor

Heather fell in love with voice-over as a child, recording “shows” with wild characters long before knowing it could be a career. Growing up in rural Ohio, she was always active—setting track records and playing every sport imaginable. That competitive spirit led her to voice-over, where she finds the same thrill embodying characters and creating memorable moments.

With infectious positivity, Heather makes every recording session an adventure. When not in the booth, she explores national parks, tends her garden, hikes with her husband and dog, or immerses herself in historical fiction.

KeeKee
The Inspiration

Real-life KeeKee was born in Seattle, Washington. Shannon and Paul found her at a rescue shelter. KeeKee’s first adventures were being carted back and forth between Shannon and Paul’s apartments. Visiting the grandparents in RV parks, and eventually flying to Amsterdam – where she inspired the books!

KeeKee
Beloved Character

johnmoore
marketing strategist

John Moore is a marketing strategist, business book author and keynote speaker. He played instrumental marketing roles at Starbucks Coffee and Whole Foods Market. Today, his Brand Autopsy Marketing Practice works with organizations that are driven by purpose, not just profits. John also volunteers his time as a board member for Adaptive Pickleball (501c3 nonprofit) and leads We Stutter Upstate, a supportive group for people who stutter in the Greenville, SC area.