Abbey Smith
Gero Leson is Director of Special Operations for Dr. Bronner’s, the best-selling brand of natural
soaps in North America. The company’s mission is to use business to effect social change – and
be profitable. In 2005, Dr. Bronner’s began shifting the sourcing of its major raw materials –
coconut, palm, olive, mint oils – to organic and fair trade projects. Gero has managed this process
and the development and operation of such projects in Sri Lanka, Ghana, Kenya and India. They
typically include 500 to 1,000 small holder farmers and their communities and illustrate the power
of fair commerce in rural development. Training in regenerative practices and improving soil
fertility by natural means are a key element of all projects.
Gero’s educational background (MS Physics, doctorate in Environmental Science and
Engineering) and 25 years of experience in consulting and business have helped him and his
team deal successfully with the many challenges of such projects.
