NPEW 2018

Gero Leson is Vice President of Special Operations at Dr. Bronner’s, the top-selling brand of natural soaps in North America. Since 2005, he has been responsible for Dr. Bronner’s sourcing of major ingredients from certified fair trade and organic projects. Gero and his Special Operations team plans and manages the establishment and operations of new production facilities for coconut and palm oils in Africa and Asia, and oversees Dr. Bronner’s fair trade and organic sourcing and related community development projects. Notably, the team trains farmers in regenerative organic practices such as composting, cover cropping, and mulching that build up soil fertility and increase yields and profits. Overall, Dr. Bronner’s fair trade projects around the world directly benefit an estimated 25,000 farmers, employees, and their families – improving livelihoods while simultaneously regenerating soil. Born in Cologne, Germany, Gero has a masters degree in physics from the University of Cologne and a doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering from UCLA. Before working for Dr. Bronner’s he worked as an environmental scientist and consultant. He lives in Berkeley, California.