Athena’s Magical Medicinal Olive Tree
Gaia Goddess LLC is branding its company and products by honoring Goddess Athena, who gave Greece the Olive Tree. Our base, primary ingredient is Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) and our source of OLE is from the largest olive grove in the world in eastern Australia. Our supplier, for years, has scientifically researched and organically grows only the most potent genus of olive tree which provides the highest polyphenols (active ingredient) for superior immune support. Our intent is to re-introduce this proficient healing modality and educate the modern 21st century of the natural healing benefits of this ancient remedy.
The Olive tree from Greece mythology was bestowed on humans as a gift by Athena, the daughter of Zeus and Metis. Athena was a warrior Goddess whose attributes were the spear, helmet, and aegis, but she is also the Goddess of justice, wisdom and protector of arts and literature. Her sacred animal is the wise owl, but her olive tree was one of her most recognized symbols, and greatest prolific gift to mankind.
The story is that Poseidon, God of the seas, coveted earthly kingdoms and in competition with Athena, drove his trident into the Acropolis which sprouted a well of salt water. Athena, in her peaceful way, made an olive tree grow next to the salt water well. The city revered her tree for centuries at the Acropolis symbolizing her victory over Poseidon and adopted the name of Athens for their city, in her honor. This dramatic showdown between the two powerful Olympians was immortalized in stone, depicted on the west pediment sculptures of the Parthenon – Athena’s Temple. An olive tree exists today at the Parthenon in Athena’s honor.
In Greece, the olive tree symbolizes health, peace, prosperity, resurrection, and hope. In the V Century B.C., the Persian King Xerxes burned the entire Acropolis city, including Athena’s olive tree. When the Athenians entered the scorched city, the olive tree had already grown a new branch symbolizing hope and the rapid recuperation of the Athenians in the face of adversity. Gaia Goddess LLC was intentionally created during the adversity of the 2020 worldwide pandemic. We are dedicated to bring new hope with natural healing Leaf of Life products to the world, for superior immune support and overall continued health.
The Athenians revere Athena’s gift, and the olive tree has remained a central part of Greek life ever since for all of its profound qualities and benefits. The leaves have been used as medicine and to crown the heads of queens, kings, generals and victorious athletes. The wood used to construct houses and boats, the olives for food, and the olive oil to fuel lamps. It’s rubbed into the toned, muscled bodies of lithe athletes and added to all food dishes – a staple in the Mediterranean diet. Even the iconic Athenian tetradrachm coins had the leaves of the olive branch peeking out to the left of Athena’s owl.
In the Judeo/Christian Bible it is written that “God gave man the olive tree. The olive for food, the leaves for medicine.” We have known the extraordinary and diverse health benefits from olive oil and the Mediterranean diet forever, but now we know the even bigger medicinal benefits of the Olive Leaf.
Olive Leaf Extract has the “Big Five” medicinal properties: Anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-yeast and anti-parasitic. Which is why olive trees have their own natural defense system and can live to be thousands of years old! The al Badawi olive tree in Bethlehem, is believed by researchers to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old, and is likely the oldest living olive tree in the world. A 3,000 year old olive tree also lives today on the island of Crete.
Gaia Goddess honors Athena and her gift of the Olive Tree, particularly its leaves, as our icon of holistic healing modalities. Our logo depicts her as she lovingly embraces and looks upon Gaia, Mother Earth, with her crown of golden olive leaves – the “leaves of life.” The Greeks made important contributions to philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, science and…medicine. The ancient Greek God of Medicine was Asclepius, but Hippocrates was a real living Greek healer, teacher and scholar, a revered man who actually lived roughly 460-377 bce of whom we’ve adopted the “Hippocratic Oath” for modern medicine. Greek culture influenced the Roman Empire and many other civilizations, and it continues to influence modern cultures and companies today.
Our Leadership Team
Penelope Richards, CEO/Founder
Penelope Richards, CEO/Founder has 35+years in business from Fortune 500 companies (Apple Computer, Genentech) to start-up companies (Kaleida Labs & Ultimate Synergy.) She was co-owner of a previous nutraceutical company. From Apple Computer’s Law Dept. in Apple’s Headquarters in Silicon Valley, then later to R&D, she became employee #11 of Kaleida Labs, a start-up between Apple and IBM, as Executive Assistant to the CEO then later started her own division which included Purchasing, Facilities and Security. She was the Executive Administrator for the Bonsall Chamber of Commerce and has extensive experience in administration, project management, purchasing, law, human resources, public relations, advertising and marketing.
Jason Berkes, Nutraceutical Consultant and Manufacturing
Jason Berkes, Nutraceutical Consultant and Manufacturing, is the Founder/CEO of Super Easy Nutrition; and qualified nutrition, health, and wellness coach. He created his first product at the age of 16 and it became one of the top-selling dietary supplements around the globe. From that huge success he has since formulated more than 100 life-changing health and wellness products, and health strategies. Jason has been in the nutraceutical industry for over 30 years. Since 1993, he has worked in collaboration with thousands of individuals and their health care providers to plan real and effective weight loss, health, and nutrition strategies.
Jai Ford, Program Manager/Business Analyst/Compliance Specialist
Jai Ford, Program Manager/Business Analyst/Compliance Specialist has 20+ years of experience in project management and business process analysis. Jai has worked in the insurance industry and specialized in commercial liability insurance, legal issues and litigation, and business process management. Jai has also spent the last 10 years working in a training organization within Liberty Mutual Insurance Group providing consultation on legal issues, regulatory compliance, systems technology architecture and development, along with business process management. He holds a BA degree in Music from the University of Hawaii.
Dean Goddette, Ph.D, Chief Science Officer
Dean Goddette, Ph.D, Chief Science Officer. Is an entrepreneurial technology executive with a background combining science, sales and marketing. 20+ years of diversified, in-depth experience in scientific software sales and marketing. VP of Product Management of flagship products. Developed product strategies and business plans for launching proprietary information management technology. Managed multimillion dollar marketing budgets; business development at marketing firm in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry; participating in drug launches, sales training and other marketing projects. NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, UC Berkeley; Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
Christopher Dilts, Marketing/Business Strategist
Christopher Dilts, Marketing/Business Strategist, is a Digital Marketing Strategist and Business Branding Expert assisting clients with online brand effectiveness. He is a successful entrepreneur & innovator in the field of computer technology and online training starting with TRW’s Space Systems Division. He founded and led three software companies, from start-up to successful business ventures that were acquired or licensed by leading companies. He created a series of successful software products and online learning systems; and produced sophisticated E-Learning and online leadership development systems used by clients: Harvard University, American Express, Johns Hopkins and U.S. Government. He planned and led over 200 executive seminars co-sponsored by IBM, Unisys and AT&T. He is currently Co-Founder and Director of RightSource Global Digital Marketing; and Co-Founder of Social Video Rocket and Thought Leader Impression which assist leaders and organizations to increase their visibility and reach online.
Stephen Tyler, Chief Technical Officer
Stephen Tyler, Chief Technical Officer, is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Extension Healthcare, a Fort Wayne, Indiana based technology company with a mission to improve clinical communication and collaboration amongst caregivers whilst reducing risk to patients. Prior to Extension Healthcare, Steve took part in a series of technology start-ups in Silicon Valley and the United Kingdom all relating to collaboration using network-connected services. Steve is an entrepreneur and also a musician composer and owner of Silverbirch Music Production Studio, and originally from England.
Arlene Smith, Accountant/CFO
Arlene Smith, Accountant/CFO, has been in Finance for 30+ years as a CPA, CFO, Controller, Auditor and Treasurer with a B.S. degree from Pennsylvania State University, Honor’s program. She was the CFO of her own tour company in San Francisco and has worked for many notable companies including Price Waterhouse. She is proficient in financial statement and budget preparation; has been a bank and audit Liaison and has done city/state/federal government reporting. Her vast volunteer work includes American Cancer Society, American Red Cross and Julian Art Guild; and she was President of the San Francisco Chapter of National Association of Accountants.
Rodolfo Garcia, Creative Director
Rodolfo Garcia, Creative Director, has 21 years’ experience as a magazine Art Director, production, graphics and Senior Designer in San Diego County. His degree is from Universidad IberoAmericana in Mexico in Graphic Design. His expertise is with all Adobe Software (Photoshop, Illustrator, QuarkExpress) used in corporate branding, web design and advertising; and is also a talented artist, illustrator, and musician.
Tracy Pattin, Creative/Marketing/Advertising Consultant
Tracy Pattin, Creative/Marketing/Advertising Consultant, has 30+ years in the entertainment business in San Francisco and West Hollywood and is the host and co-producer of the Wondery Network’s groundbreaking series, “Hollywood and Crime.” She is creator/producer/host of the series, Women2018, where she travels the U.S. documenting stories of women running for political office. She has written for the Huffington Post (WeHo patch), West Hollywood Magazine; Author and ghost writer of books, magazines, and children’s books; Podcaster (writer, production, voiceover); screenwriter, playwright, blogger, voice over actor and performer. Videographer; audio and video Editor; Interviewer and on camera Host. Marketing and public relations; Producer for the BBC and Stage Manager for large scale events. She is a lifelong world traveler and writes about adventure travel and local, cultural, and historic tourism in West Hollywood. BA from San Francisco State University.