Who We Are

Growing up, Shannon’s Mom was a flight attendant. The traveling they did as a family opened her eyes, ears, and mind to the world in a way that has inspired me her whole life. Growing up, Shannon always loved to write; little did she know she would be writing kids’ picture books!

Paul has always been creative and a kid at heart. Inspired by visits to Walt Disney World as a child, combined with his knack for creative problem solving, he and Shannon made a perfect match to do something fun and creative together.

When Shannon and Paul moved to Amsterdam with their real-life calico kitty, KeeKee, the idea for KeeKee’s Big Adventures was born! The goal? 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. 

Shannon wrote the first draft of the Paris picture book. They found an amazing illustrator, Casey, a great editor, and Paul was ready to do the layout. The launch of the first book was encouraging, receiving great feedback from Moms and award recognition. Now, there are five picture books (with more in the works), and they’ve expanded the company to include YouTube videos for kids, the Family Travel Podcast for adults, travel articles, advice, activities for the family… and so much more to come!

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

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. [Visit the Podcast page.]

Activities for Kids and Adults: Fun, educational, and free to download. [Visit the Activities page.]

Travel content and additional products to help you dream, plan, and get the most out of your adventures, including our partnership with AAA Family Travel Clubs, with KeeKee as the 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 and the author of the award-winning picture book series. Her love of travel began at a young age. After twenty-five years in marketing leadership positions for global brands like Starbucks, she left the corporate world to build her own brand, KeeKee’s Big Adventures. Shannon is also a certified Travel Advisor.

Paul Williams
Co-Founder

Paul is the co-creator and creative lead 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’s wicked-talented. 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.

Amy Henry
Consumer Insights, Youth & Family Researcher

Amy is a youth and family researcher and expert who consultants for KeeKee’s Big Adventures. She’s curious and always ready for an adventure, whether it’s traveling the world with her boys or digging for insights for the companies and organizations she serves! She loves getting to learn about new places and people through her work with KeeKee!

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. He regularly lends his brain and smarts to push to help make KeeKee’s Big Adventures something worth telling others about.

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.

Capri Easterday
Entertainment Design Consultant

Capri is the Entertainment Design Consultant extraordinare for KeeKee’s Big Adventures. In addition to having one of the coolest names in the world, Capri is passionate about guest experience and creative solutions. She is helping to bring KeeKee to life through some pretty cool Themed Experiences. (More on these soon!)

KeeKee
The Inspiration

The real-life KeeKee was born in Seattle, Washington. Shannon and Paul adopted her at the Seattle Humane Society. KeeKee’s first adventures were back-and-forth between Shannon and Paul’s apartments, visiting her grandparents in RV parks, and eventually flying to Amsterdam—where she inspired the books and brand!