News

The Board of the Sicilian Olive Leaf Tea Company is Pleased to Announce the Appointment of Gina Keatley as the New Chief Executive Officer Effect from 11 January 2022

The Sicilian Olive Leaf Tea Company, a leader in powdered olive leaf tea has announced that the Board of Directors have unanimously approved the appointment of Gina Keatley as their new President and CEO and member of the Board. Keatley will assume responsibilities with effect on 11 January 2022.

New York, NY, January 11, 2022 –(PR.com)– Gina Keatley has a broad and extensive experience within the food and nutrition industry. Her insights include food technology, international cuisine development, sales and marketing, business development and sustainable agriculture. She has been responsible for large capital projects, portfolios of producing digital culinary content, building organizational capabilities, and for overall business delivery in both management, executive, and board roles. Throughout her career she has worked for companies like Nestle, Huffington Post, GBS Health Media, and The City University of New York amongst others. As a Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist Keatley holds a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare, Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from New York University, a degree in Culinary Arts and continuing professional education from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

“We are very pleased that Gina Keatley has accepted the position of new CEO of The Sicilian Olive Leaf Tea Company. She has a broad and quite unique experience, from both the product/technology provider side and from international foods perspective and expertise, which we believe will be very valuable for our company,” says the Chairman of the Board. “Moreover, Mrs. Keatley has extensive leadership experience from the food and nutrition industry and has demonstrated her ability to building successful organizations and businesses. We are confident that she will be a force in developing and driving The Sicilian Olive Leaf Tea Company forward – in a very exciting but also challenging time.”

“I am eager to be a part of this innovative culinary adventure and look forward to our first product launch, Matche, at the World Tea Expo in March 2022,” says Gina Keatley.

About Matche and The Sicilian Olive Leaf Tea Company

Matche is a powdered olive tea leaves, dissolved in hot water to make tea or used as a flavoring. It is the first of its kind using the olive leaf (Olea europaea).

The Sicilian Olive Leaf Tea Company is dedicated to bringing the finest quality olive leaf tea to market. All products are curated from century old olives trees located in the mountains of Sicily, Italy. Handpicked, sun dried and brewed into tea that is overflowing with flavor filled antioxidants.

Contact
The Sicilian Olive Leaf Tea Company

sicilianoliveleaftea.com
matche.co

WHAT’S BREWING?
Leading Tea Brands Share Enthusiasm for World Tea Conference + Expo in March
By Aaron Kiel

Leaders from the global tea industry are getting ready to attend, exhibit and participate in the 2022 World Tea Conference + Expo, the leading specialty tea event, scheduled for March 21-23 in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the conference and expo and a special celebration is planned for the upcoming event – to honor the achievement and to celebrate the people who make up the industry, as well as to recognize how much the tea marketplace has grown in North America since the show began 20 years ago.

Registration and conference details are available at WorldTeaExpo.com.

FEATURED EVENT

Celebrating Traditions and the Future of Tea.

March 21-23, 2022

“We are excited to be at the upcoming World Tea Conference + Expo this March,” said exhibitor Michael Harney, vice president and master tea buyer and blender at Harney & Sons Fine Teas. “We’ve been attending World Tea since day one, and we look to re-establish this tradition during the 20th anniversary event and celebration.

Brendan Shah, CEO of International Tea Importers, which will also be exhibiting and sponsoring, said, “We are most excited to see our colleagues at the show. We believe the World Tea Conference + Expo is crucial to the industry because it gives us an opportunity to keep up with industry trends and introduce new products, but most importantly see our extended tea family and bring new tea lovers into the fold.”

Manik Jayakumar, the founder of QTrade Teas & Herbs, based in Southern California, encouraged every leading tea company to participate, exhibit and send reps to attend the show for tea education, and to see the latest trends in the specialty tea world. “The World Tea Conference + Expo is the only show in the country – and in the world – that has been promoting tea since its very inception. This is a great show for networking and, more importantly, for tea education. QTrade Teas & Herbs has been exhibiting at this show over the years and has made many lasting tea friends – and customers – from around the world. QTrade Teas & Herbs will once again exhibit at this year’s show, and we wish the 20th anniversary event much success.”

Exhibitors Look Forward to Connecting with Buyers, Other Tea Professionals

“I’m looking forward to connecting with other tea connoisseurs, professionals and producers at the 2022 World Tea Conference + Expo,” said Gina Keatley, CEO of Sicilian Olive Leaf Tea Company. “I love trying, tasting and talking tea with some of the most knowledgeable people in the business.”

Keatley and Sicilian Olive Leaf Tea Company will be debuting Matche – the world’s first powdered olive leaf tea. “Matche encompasses all the things that make tea great – it’s delish, super nutritious, sustainable and innovative, utilizing underused ingredients,” she said. “And it’s Italian. Who doesn’t want to be Italian?”

As a foodie entrepreneur, Keatley admits she has always been known for biting off a bit more than she can chew on culinary adventurers, and Matche is no different. “Yes, it’s a totally fresh product in a region of the world known more for cappuccino than chai, but that’s what makes it great,” she said. “It’s uncharted territory. It’s challenging, bold, untamed and a blend of cultures – just like Sicily, where the olive leaves come from. We are looking forward to the world loving Matche as much as we do, and they will get their first taste at the 2022 World Tea Conference + Expo.”

Marumatsu Tea Co., Ltd., a traditional Japanese tea company that was established in 1899, is also among the many exhibitors that are scheduled for the World Tea Conference + Expo. “Since our founding, we have been making every effort to provide high quality Japanese tea,” said Tatsuo Sano, managing director of Marumatsu Tea Co., Ltd., based in Japan.

“At the World Tea Conference + Expo, we will make and serve Mizudashi Cold Brew Authentic Japanese Tea, which takes three hours to prepare, and we will also serve Japanese Matcha made the traditional way – and in front of attendees,” said Sano. “We hope everyone enjoys our authentic organic tea, while spending relaxing time with family and loved ones.”