Kellee James

Founder & CEO, Mercaris

Kellee James shares her journey from the early days of the carbon markets to the importance of data for effective agricultural markets. Combining economics, agriculture and a climate focus, we explore the power of data to improve how we feed ourselves. Highlighting the joys and challenges of startups, Kellee discusses how her passions fuel her objective to build a better world.

Read the episode transcript.

Meet the guest

Kellee James is the Founder & CEO of Mercaris, an agtech startup that provides market data and online trading for identity-preserved ag commodities, particularly organic and non-GMO grains and oilseeds. Prior to Mercaris, Kellee spent five years at the start-up company Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), the first electronic trading platform and registry for spot, futures and options on carbon, sulfur, clean energy and other environmental derivatives. In 2009, she was appointed by President Barack Obama as a White House Fellow and was Crain’s Chicago Business Magazine ’40 under 40’ rising leader. Previously, Kellee worked with commodity banks in Latin America on risk management and income diversification strategies. Kellee is an Aspen Institute Catto Environmental Fellow and has also served on the board of Net Impact, a membership organization of more than 12,000 MBA professionals committed to sustainability through corporate responsibility. Kellee received her MBA and MA in International Development from American University in Washington, D.C., and completed a BA in Spanish from the University of Kentucky.