Kellan Hays MBA 14

Co-Founder, Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Good Nature Agro

Portrait of Kellan Hays
"Davis fueled my creativity through access to world-class nature, food, wine, and cities, while being a welcoming community that provided quiet space for academic rigor."

Student Leadership and Experience

  • President of Net Impact
  • President of Challenge for Charity
  • Awarded the Newberry Distinguished Fellowship
  • Big Bang! AgTech winner and People’s Choice winner

Previous Degree

  • B.A. in Communication and B.A. in Sociology from Tulane University

Previous Work Experience

  • My career has been focused on environmental and social good.

  • I spent 12 years in nonprofit management before heading to the GSM. I worked in political fundraising and then for the Jane Goodall Institute running global conservation efforts through youth leadership.

  • At Autodesk, I managed strategy & execution for a global program to create a culture of positive impact at Autodesk. The combination of highly technical skills and passion for positive impact across the company was truly inspiring.

  • I co-founded Good Nature Agro while at UC Davis. We invest in small-scale farmers to generate lasting income by focusing on legumes and access to inputs, trainings, and markets.

"I was 100% determined to get an internship and job in Corporate Social Responsibility. The GSM community helped me get an amazing internship and job offer after graduation, and what I learned at the GSM helped me be successful right away in that job. The GSM also supported me in taking classes in other UC Davis departments, where I met my Good Nature Agro co-founders and received training in design thinking."

Fun Facts

  • I co-founded a nonprofit that gets kids sailing on the Boston Harbor. We have helped more than 600 students get out on the water. Check us out at www.chrisshawsail.com

  • I have been a pescatarian for 18 years and I have major weaknesses for sushi and for French cheese.

  • Growing up in Southern Illinois near the Shawnee National Forest was core to my passion for environmental protection. I still love to hike and be in nature.

  • One of my favorite jobs of all time was working in a bakery/coffee shop.

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