KitaSamaSama
a multifaceted social enterprise
Our Team
Elene Kee
Co-Founder
When the pandemic struck, Elene's journey as a social entrepreneur, really began. Farmers in the highlands of Malaysia, were throwing away their fresh produce as a result of multiple lockdowns, yet at the same time, the soup kitchens in the city of Kuala Lumpur were getting longer as people lost jobs and struggled to make ends meet. This triggered the rebirth of Abundant Ventures, as a social enterprise, whose social mission it is, to Grow Livelihoods, sustainably.
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She now serves as an independent director on the board of Can- One Berhad, a public listed company on the Malaysian Stock Exchange and one of Southeast Asia’s largest packaging manufacturers. She had also served on its subsidiary board, Kian Joo Can Factory Berhad.
Since 2017 she has served as Advisor to Roots & Shoots Malaysia, the NGO founded by the iconic Dame Dr Jane Goodall. Here, she co-developed, 2 nationwide programs, Roots & Shoots Malaysia Award and Project EcoWira.
Hui Lin Lim
Manager
Hui Lin graduated from the University of Bristol in 2021 with a Biology degree. She not only researches and writes about topics that she is passionate about, but produces beautiful illustrations and infographics on our website, whilst managing so many aspects of our thriving social enterprise!
Hui Lin has worked on commissions digitally illustrating illustrations, and book covers. She has also drawn 3 maps for Millennials Meet Mary, a book comprising of different views by Millennials on the many artworks depicting Mary. Hui Lin has also used her art skills and initiated the fundraising of money for Lang Tengah Turtle Watch to purchase satellite trackers to track turtles by selling hand-drawn turtle notebooks.
Shih Lene Kee
Co-Founder
As the pandemic set in and a disturbing trend emerged, Shih Lene was spurred on to co found a social enterprise, Abundant Ventures together with her sister, Elene.
Over 2 decades ago, through a very steep learning curve, she helped established the second largest retail watch chain outlet in Malaysia, City Chain, culminating in over 100 retail outlets located in the top shopping malls in Malaysia. She served as a retail consultant for the optical chain Optical 88 in Malaysia. Then she jumped on a very unique opportunity to work in the founding team of CITTA Mall, designing from scratch the strip mall concept of CITTA Mall. Currently, Shih Lene actively serves as the Head of her family office, KeeGroup Sdn Bhd where she pays particular attention to the family coconut farm located in Malacca, which has recently been digitised.
However, the world of the non-profit was never far, having worked on a dozen or so fundraisers including, Straits Chinese Porcelain an award-winning coffee table book and the Wushu Federation Malaysia.
Austin Hii
Manager
Austin has a robust background spanning multiple industries. He is experienced in roles such as operations support in logistics, export sales within the furniture manufacturing sector, and assistant management in the hospitality industry. In 2023, he pursued his passion for technology and security by completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2023.
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Beyond his professional pursuits, Austin is an enthusiastic in sports, having represented Malaysia on the international stage in dodgeball.
Council of Advisors
Salwah Abdul Shukor
Salwah is a partner of Zain & Co where she heads the Corporate and Intellectual Property practice groups. She has been cited as an industry “Leading Individual” (Chambers Asia-Pacific and Legal 500) and “Notable Practitioner” (Chambers Asia-Pacific).
She is a trustee on the board of GOLD (Generating Employment for the Learning Disabled) as well as the advisory panel of Charity Right. Salwah is also a founder member of the Climate Governance Initiative, a WEF related approach to raise consciousness on climate issues on corporate boards.
Dr Sarena Che Omar
Dr Sarena Che Omar is currently CEO of PNB Research Institute Sdn Bhd. There, she conducts data-driven policy research on matters related to agriculture and food security. She holds a Doctorate from the University of Oxford specializing in plant disease genetics. Her areas of interests blend perfectly with the mission and vision of Abundant Ventures Sdn Bhd and she looks forward to help make our society greener and more abundant.
Dr. Yap Tsiao Yi
Dr. Yap Tsiao Yi is a consultant paediatric haematologist & oncologist. She graduated from McGill University, Canada, where she obtained her M.D.;C.M degree. She then completed her training in General Paediatrics and Paediatric Haematology & Oncology at the Children’s Hospital Cleveland Clinic, USA.
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While at University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), she served as a member of the COVID-19 Task Force. Her areas of expertise are in childhood cancers, in particular bone and soft tissue cancers in children and adolescents. She also has an interest in bioethics.
Celine Maginel
Celine Maginel is currently Director of Sales and Marketing at The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia. The Datai is a multi award-winning resort and is listed on The Time Magazine as one of the 100 World's Greatest Places and on Condé Nast Traveler, as the best hotels and resorts in the world (2020).
Her objective is to help people travel more consciously and so she is part (on behalf of The Datai Langkawi) of both The Regenerative Travel and The Conscious Travel Foundation groups. ​She is also involved in The Datai Pledge, its ambitious conservation and sustainability program.
Before she left France she was a volunteer (in marketing) in the french NGO : Parrains par mille. Helping kids raised by single mothers to spend time with a dedicated godfather or godmother.
Lim Soo Keat
Lim Soo Keat is the General Manager of Asahan Farm owned by Juta Suara Sdn Bhd. He has previously worked with Hap Seng Plantations Berhad in Sabah, managing 44,000 ha of palm oil plantation with 3 mills and 2 biogas plants within the estate.
Although Soo Keat has had 30+ years of experience in real estate developments and construction with listed companies, the attachment with Hap Seng Plantation Berhad has provided him with first-hand practical experience in the management of a large plantation.
Soo Keat is a qualified engineer with degrees in Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Engineering and Master of Business Management.
Mentors
Ngan Teng Ye
Ngan Teng Ye is a passionate photographer, specialising in portraiture and nature. Some beautiful photos on the Abundant Ventures Sdn Bhd social media and website come from Teng Ye, who serves as a volunteer whilst managing his family palm oil business for over 2 decades. A keen environmentalist, Teng Ye initiated and commercialised the palm oil biomass composting business since 2007. He had also championed two biogas methane avoidance projects under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and had successfully generated carbon credits.