How we work

Kee Farms is an ocean farm [and network] based in Jamaica focused on carbon removal through seaweed & oyster cultivation and ocean habitat restoration.

The Team

The team consists of entrepreneurs and scientists all coming together for one mission, to change the face of the blue economy

We strive to have an inclusive workplace that reflects the people and places we serve at every level of employment. We are dedicated to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all people, regardless of their race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, genetic makeup, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Kee Farms recognizes the importance of attracting, developing, and retaining a professional workforce that reflects the communities in which we live and work.

Nicholas KeeCEO, Cofounder

Nicholas Kee is the co-founder and CEO of Kee Farms. Before entering the climate change space, he spent most of his time as a technologist and entrepreneur having run Next Gen Creators – a tech non-profit focused on teaching youth in the Caribbean how to code and acquire job roles in the global tech space. He spends his time developing frameworks for climate change mitigation that can be adopted for the Caribbean.

Nicholas’s responsibilities range from overseeing the strategic direction of Kee Farms to monitoring the performance and Fundraising. Nick is the face of the team, and alongside Dean and Shauna-Gaye is setting the vision, values, and culture of the company.

“Climate change is real. It is happening right now, it is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.”

Dean MorrisCo-Founder, Operations manager

Dean Morris is the Co-founder and COO of Kee Farms. Since 2014, Dean has been working with environmental and farming-focused startups. His current focus is developing sustainable mariculture methodologies for fisherfolk communities and sensitizing the wider Jamaica and the Caribbean on ocean farming strategies.

Dean supervises the daily operations, leads key initiatives, and implements company-wide strategies.  Dean also is the point person for the Network of Fisherfolk and is in charge of all aspects in regard to stakeholder management.

“When we came up with the idea, We wanted to create a business that not only helps create jobs but also helps to ensure the protection of the environment.

I have always wanted to work at a company whose core values were the people and the environment and I’m happy to be leading the charge on creating a company culture that puts the communities we live and work in and the environment first.”

Shauna-Gaye PuseyChief of Staff

Shauna-Gaye Pusey is the Chief of Staff on the Kee Farms team. Her background in the natural sciences, business management, and digital marketing enables her to problem-solving key issues that allow the team to excel. Her interest in farming, marine environmentalism, and eco-tourism has led her to be a vital team member.

Shauna-Gaye’s responsibilities include providing department leaders with recommendations and consultation to improve teamwork across the company. she also assists the executive team members to determine and prioritize business strategies and works alongside Nicholas and Dean to make sure everything runs smoothly throughout company operations.

“In Jamaica, our current unemployment rate for youth stands at 17.7% with the majority of those employed being siphoned into the BPO sector as underemployed workers. There are limited economically sound employment options available to our youth which stunts their engagement in other viable sectors.

 

I want to work on projects that help to create an environment that can lead my fellow Jamaicans to success through sound employment opportunities that not only teach them sustainable skills (professional and environmental), but offers them financial and professional growth as well.”

Chelsi-Rae BuckleyHead of Seaweed Research

Chelsi-Rae Buckley is a Chief Marine Biologist on the team focused on seaweed propagation, cultivation, and harvesting. Her current work also uses nuclear and analytical chemistry techniques in the analyses of biological and geological samples.

Chelsi-Rae is the lead on all aspects of seaweed cultivation. Her other responsibilities include planning and executing experiments in the lab/hatchery and at the sea farm and assisting with routine monitoring of seaweed growth and environmental parameters at our sea farms.

“Climate change is the greatest threat to our existence in our short history on this planet. Nobody’s going to buy their way out of its effects.”

 

Aprille FergusonHead of Oyster Research.

Aprille Ferguson is a Chief Marine Biologist. Her background in marine ecology and terrestrial biology aids in her environmental conservation efforts on ocean restoration utilizing oysters and other shellfish for habitats.

Aprille is the resident oyster expert. She does extensive field work associated with characterizing oyster populations and water quality, sample processing, data collection/entry, equipment maintenance, and other tasks associated with monitoring oyster reef ecosystems. She is also in charge of all aspects of the Oyster Reef projects.

“It’s important for me to have hope because that’s my job as a parent, to have hope, for my kids, that we’re not going to leave them in a world that’s in shambles, that’s a chaotic place, that’s a dangerous place.”

 

 

Geasean JohnsonChief Scientist 

Geasean Johnson is the Chief Environmental Scientist on the Kee Farms team. He spends his time developing sustainable multitrophic systems for deployment. He ensures that key principles for climate change adaptation adhere to for all our ocean farm operations.

Geasean’s responsibilities include the collection, analysis, and presentation of experimental data, including public dissemination of results via academic journals and conference presentations and participating in strategic planning activities, such as identifying new research opportunities, assessing potential commercial applications of research, and developing long-term research plans. He is also in charge of carbon sequestration research and how our activities affect it.

We don’t have time to sit on our hands as our planet burns. For young people, climate change is bigger than election or re-election. It’s life or death

Matthew-Pierre Rogers-Marine Biologist

Matthew-Pierre Rogers is a marine biologist with a love of the ocean. Matthew brings to the team a deep knowledge of seaweed and mariculture practices

Matthew develops and conducts research on the relationships of organisms and how our activity is affecting marine ecosystems. He monitors and manages wildlife populations and invasive plants and animals and writes research papers and articles explaining and analyzing his findings.

We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it.

Adrian E. BrownAdvisor

Adrian E. Brown is a technical advisor on the Kee Farms team. He is a senior-level environmental engineer with over 15 years of public and private sector professional experience in all environmental media (air, water, and waste/land). He has substantial experience in environmental permitting, environmental compliance management, environmental health, environmental due diligence, and environmental engineering technical reviews; interpretation of environmental regulations/policies (RCRA, Solid Waste Management, Storm Water Regulation, Wastewater, and Process Water, Clean Air Act, SPCC, Safe Drinking Water Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, and ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems); environmental compliance mediation.

Dr. Thomas GoreauAdvisor

Dr. Thomas Goreau is a technical advisor on the Kee Farms team. He is a biogeochemist and marine biologist whose work focuses on coral reef restoration, fisheries restoration, shoreline protection, renewable energy, community-based coral reef management, mariculture, soil metabolism, and stabilization of global carbon dioxide.

Interested in joining our mission? Send an email to info@keefarms

“ The Jamaican fisheries space is in desperate need of a sustainable alternative mariculture, not just because of the pressures on the current fish stock, but to also protect the livelihoods of those within it. "
Chelsi-Rae Buckley- Head of Seaweed Research