Hearts & Hands of Allies
Mathew Gerson
Co-Founder
Partner to Colleen and father to Willow with 25+ years of social impact entrepreneurship experience, Mathew brings a lifelong passion for building brands, products and teams that see and act on opportunities to make a difference.
Most recently he was Founder at FORIA, a Cannabis and Hemp focused wellness brand celebrated for its innovative plant based products that addressed underserved challenges in the bedroom and beyond.
In addition to his work with Allies, Mathew recently founded Greybeard Mentors to support emerging entrepreneurs in navigating the complexities of brand-building, leadership, and purpose-driven business.
Colleen Gerson
Formulator & Co-Founder
Colleen is a Mother to Willow, National Board Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach, Community Herbalist, Co-Formulator and Educator for Allies. Previously she was also the Botanical Formulator and Educator at Foria. With almost 20 years studying and working in Functional Medicine, Nutrition, and Herbal Medicine, she brings an integrative and compassionate approach in guiding us back to ourselves and healing through the heart of nature.
She is passionate about women's health, conscious parenting, hosting nourishing mother circles and workshops, and weaving the wonders of natural plant allies to support her community.
Ben Zappin, LAc
Lead Formulator & Co-Founder
Ben brings formulation, extraction, and clinical expertise to Allies. A Western and Chinese herbalist for more than 25 years, he practices acupuncture and is co-founder of Five Flavors Herbs.
His work in integrative mental health and community herbalism shaped the formulas at the center of Allies: practical combinations of plants designed for the real states people move through before, during, and after periods of change.