Cigars industry VS Women - Part 4.
Ιnfluential women in the cigar world-Past and present.
From the fields of Estelí to the boardrooms of global cigar brands, the stories of these nine women —Cynthia Fuente-Suárez, Maya Selva, Inés Lorenzo Gómez, Raquel & Patricia Quesada, Monika Kelner, Bienvenida Ovalles, Lissette Pérez-Carrillo, Karen Berger, and Desiree Sylver — chart a remarkable transformation in the cigar industry.
Once a landscape overwhelmingly dominated by men, today it reflects a growing presence of women who not only participate but lead, innovate, and redefine what cigar culture means in the twenty-first century.
Each of these women represents a different path into the world of cigars — inheritance, entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, or advocacy — yet they share a unifying theme: authentic passion coupled with persistence.
They come from a variety of roles—founders, rollers, executives, advocates—showing the range of what women are doing in the cigar industry today.
1. Cynthia Fuente-Suárez – Vice President of Arturo Fuente Cigars (Dominican Republic)
Role & Title
Vice President of The Fuente Companies (Arturo Fuente). arturofuente.com – holts.com – SOTL Global Movement
Often referred to as “The First Lady of Cigars.” arturofuente.com – holts.com - arturofuente.com
Background / Early Life
Born into the Fuente family: daughter of Carlos A. Fuente Sr. - granddaughter of Arturo Fuente. arturofuente.com - holts.com
Native of Tampa, Florida; she has lived or spent significant time in West Tampa, Ybor City, and the Dominican Republic. arturofuente.com
Education
Studied psychology and business at the University of South Florida. arturofuente.com – SOTL Global Movement - arturofuente.com
Professional Involvement & Contributions
Worked in the family business for as long as she can remember; grew up around cigar production and company operations. arturofuente.com – SOTL Global Movement
Involved in many aspects of company operations—not only the corporate side but also public relations, philanthropic outreach, and preserving the heritage and reputation of the brand. arturofuente.com - holts.com
She serves on the board of the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. The family uses this foundation to support communities tied to their operations (Dominican Republic, Tampa, etc.). holts.com - arturofuente.com - holts.com
Nickname & Public Persona
Known as “The First Lady of Cigars” — both a recognition of her standing within Arturo Fuente and a public acknowledgement of her role as a pioneering woman in an industry long dominated by men. arturofuente.com - holts.com - arturofuente.com
She is sometimes asked about what it’s like to be a woman in the cigar business - she has spoken in interviews about how being born into the industry shaped her, and how for her, working there isn’t “breaking a mold,” but simply where she belongs. arturofuente.com - arturofuente.com - holts.com
Recent or Notable Highlights
As of “100 Years of Arturo Fuente” (2012 mark), Cynthia was Vice President while her brother Carlos (Carlito) President - the company was producing ~30 million cigars annually. holts.com – Cigar Aficionado - arturofuente.com
Actively involved in charitable endeavors and foundations associated with the Fuente family. arturofuente.com - holts.com - holts.com
Photo Credit: Cigarro Dominicano
Photo Credit: Bay Squeeze
2. Maya Selva – Founder of Maya Selva Cigars (Honduras/France)
Full Name & Origins
Maya Selva was born August 9, 1965 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Wikipedia – MayaSelva Cigars 2023
Her mother is French, her father Honduran. She spent her early childhood in Honduras, moved to France at age 16 for secondary/higher education. Wikipedia – MayaSelva Cigars 2023
Education & Early Career
Studied engineering at École Internationale des Sciences du Traitement de l’Information (EISTI), France. cigarpassion.ch - Wikipedia – MayaSelva Cigars 2023
Completed further studies in the United States - earned a Master of Science degree. Wikipedia – MayaSelva Cigars 2023
In 1991 she returned to Honduras interested in exploring career possibilities, especially connected with tobacco. MayaSelva Cigars 2023 – cigarpassion.ch – La prensa
Mentorship & Entry into the Cigar Industry
In 1993/1994, Maya met with tobacco grower Nestor Plasencia and apprenticed at his factory (Tabacos de Oriente in Danlí, Honduras). She spent over a year learning each stage of cigar production — from seed, leaf processing, blending, rolling, etc. MayaSelva Cigars 2023 – Cigar journal - cigarpassion.ch
Founding Her Brands
1995: Launched her first brand Flor de Selva. The cigars used tobacco from the highlands of the Jamastrán Valley (El Paraíso, Honduras). Initially five vitolas (Panetela, Robusto, Corona, Churchill, Double-Corona) released in France. Wikipedia – cigarpassion.ch - MayaSelva Cigars 2023
1999: Launched Cumpay, using tobacco from the volcanic highlands of Jalapa, Nicaragua. Wikipedia - MayaSelva Cigars 2023 – Honduras Tips
2002: Launched Villa Zamorano, offering handmade cigars aimed to combine quality with affordability. Wikipedia - MayaSelva Cigars 2023
Business Operations & Philosophy
Maya Selva Cigars has three main brands: Flor de Selva, Cumpay, Villa Zamorano. MayaSelva Cigars 2023 - cigarpassion.ch
The company emphasizes terroir — i.e., the impact of soil, climate, altitude — and respecting tradition: that cigars are “totally hand-made”, grown in Honduras & Nicaragua, inspected carefully, packaged with attention to detail. MayaSelva Cigars 2023 - cigarpassion.ch – Cigar journal
Headquarters are in Paris, France - operations include tobacco plantations and factories in Honduras and Nicaragua - a U.S. distribution center in Hollywood, Florida. MayaSelva Cigars 2023
Recent Achievements & Milestones
In 2024, Maya Selva was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cigar Journal Trophy Awards during InterTabac. MayaSelva Cigars 2023 – revuedestabacs.com
She inaugurated a new factory in Danlí, Honduras (official opening in January 2025). The new facility is designed for up to ~5 million cigars per year, with about 65 employees to start. Cigars-connect
Her brands are distributed in over 35–55 countries; the company remains relatively artisanal, stressing quality over mass production. MayaSelva Cigars 2023 – Cigar journal - Cigar journal
Recognition & Influence
Named “Europe’s most prominent female cigar manufacturer” by Cigar Journal in 2015. MayaSelva Cigars 2023 – Honduras.com
She is one of the founding members of the Honduran Association of Cigar Makers. Wikipedia - cigarpassion.ch
Her brands have won multiple industry awards, for example “Best Boutique Brand Honduras 2023” for Villa Zamorano Reserva. Honduras.com - MayaSelva Cigars 2023
Photo Credit: Cigar Dojo
Photo Credit: MayaSelva Cigars 2023
3. Ines Lorenzo Gomez – Co-Founder of La Flor Dominicana (Dominican Republic)
Position & Role
Co-founder alongside her husband Lutio (“Litto”) Gómez. Wikipedia – Cigars Haven – cgarsltd.co.uk – La Flor Dominicana
She handles significant parts of the business such as distribution, customer service, marketing, brand strategy, and maintaining relationships with retailers. Cigar Aficionado - Cigar Aficionado – Cigars Haven - cgarsltd.co.uk
Background
Before founding La Flor Dominicana, Inés had a different professional background — she is described as a former model, with academic qualifications (master’s degree in international relations) and experience in marketing and/or international relations. Cigar Aficionado – Cigars Haven - Cigar Aficionado
She is married to Litto Gómez. At the beginning, the two of them jointly started their cigar venture (initially under the name Los Libertadores) and handled various roles—Inés particularly took on the responsibility for distribution in Miami and early promotional/advertising work. Cigar Aficionado - Cigar Aficionado
Founding & Growth of La Flor Dominicana
The company was founded in 1994 (originally called Los Libertadores) by Litto Gómez and Inés Lorenzo, before being renamed La Flor Dominicana in 1996. Wikipedia - Cigar Aficionado - Southern - cigar.com
The reason for the name change came after a dispute with an investor. This rebranding allowed them to fully control their brand identity and operations. Cigar Aficionado - Wikipedia
Business Philosophy & Strategy
Quality over scale: From early on, Inés and Litto emphasised steady growth rather than rapid expansion at the cost of quality. Ines has been quoted as being responsible for the distribution strategy and ensuring that the brand remains in reputable, well-maintained stores rather than appealing to every retailer. Cigar Aficionado – cgarsltd.co.uk – holts.com
Learning-by-doing: Neither she nor Litto came from a family with cigar-making heritage. Their approach involved listening, experimenting, learning what makes cigars good, and absorbing knowledge from growers and cigarmakers. Inés's role has often been in bridging that learning to markets, to customers, and ensuring the brand’s image matches the quality of the product. Cigar Aficionado – cgarsltd.co.uk – Cigars Haven
Milestones & Notable Contributions
Overseeing distribution and customer relations from the early days, especially in U.S. markets. She took on responsibility for distribution in Miami, and for the brand’s early promotional and advertising efforts. Cigar Aficionado - Cigars Haven - La Flor Dominicana
Contributing to decisions such as vertical integration (acquiring farms) to grow their own binder/filler tobacco, wrapper sources, and in-house quality control. Although much of the farming/blending is overseen by Litto, Inés has been a partner in making these strategic business decisions. Cigar Aficionado – cgarsltd.co.uk - Cigars Haven
Recent & Ongoing Highlights
30-Year Anniversary (ca. 2024): Celebrating three decades of La Flor Dominicana with limited-edition releases such as “LFD 30 Years,” recognising the journey of original founders Inés and Litto. La Flor Dominicana
Continuing strategy of controlled growth: In interviewers she has discussed how they choose which retailers to partner with, with care to preserve the brand’s prestige. Cigar Aficionado - Cigars Haven
Photo Credit: Cigar Aficionado
Credit: Cigar Journal
4. Raquel & Patricia Quesada - Co-Owners of Quesada Cigars (Dominican Republic)
Family Background & Company Origins
Quesada Cigars, formally known as MATASA (Manufactura de Tabacos, S.A.), is a family-owned premium cigar company in the Dominican Republic. It was founded in 1974 by Manuel Quesada (Manolo) in Santiago, DR. quesadacigars.com – Wikipedia - Cigar Aficionado
The Quesada family’s involvement in tobacco goes back over a century - they started in Cuba (after emigrating from Spain) in the late 1800s, working as brokers and exporters of tobacco leaf. Through generations, they built up both leaf sourcing, blending, and manufacturing. Cigar Wars – quesadacigars.com - Cigar Aficionado
Raquel & Patricia’s Roles & Transition to Leadership
Raquel Quesada Vega and Patricia Quesada Vega are daughters of Manuel “Manolo” Quesada. They represent the fifth generation of the Quesada family in the cigar business. Cigar Aficionado – quesadacigars.com - Cigar Aficionado – Cigar Coop – Cigar Snob
As of October 2024, the sisters formally assumed full ownership of Quesada Cigars. The company ownership was consolidated under the immediate Quesada family. Cigar Snob - Cigar Aficionado - Cigar Coop – cigarinspector.com
After a health scare (Manolo Quesada suffered a stroke during the Procigar 2024 festival), the sisters also increasingly took over day-to-day operations. Patricia had previously stepped away (in 2019) but returned with this transition. Raquel has been active in operations for a longer time. halfwheel - Cigar Aficionado - Cigar Coop
Individual Strengths & Contributions
Raquel Quesada:
Has been engaged with the company over the past decade, involved in production, factory oversight, and blending work. Cigar Aficionado -Cigar Coop - Cigar Aficionado
Seen as more focused on the production side of the business and upholding product quality, while also being visible in public roles. Cigar Aficionado - Cigar Aficionado - Cigar Coop
Patricia Quesada:
Her earlier role was more in administration, accounting, and internal systems. Patricia departed from day-to-day operations around 2019 but has formally returned with the leadership transition. Cigar Aficionado – cigarinspector.com - Cigar Coop - Cigar Snob
She has expressed strong desire to restore and modernize aspects of the business — updating systems, improving efficiencies, reconnecting with retail partners, and helping rebuild reputation. Cigar Aficionado - Cigar Coop
Recent Developments & Strategic Direction
With the full ownership transition in place, they are now steering the company into a new era. Their goals include: restoring some lost prestige, updating operations, improving consistency/quality, refreshing brands, and being more present with customers and retailers. Cigar Aficionado - halfwheel
At the PCA 2025 Trade Show, it was the first show under their active joint leadership.
They presented new product initiatives such as the Quesada-Casa Magna Lancero Experience, combining lines to showcase the company’s range and heritage under the new leadership. Cigar Coop
Significance & Challenges
The transition represents more than a generational shift; it symbolizes a company trying to balance tradition with innovation. The Quesada Cigars brand has history, but in recent years there have been concerns in the market about consistency, visibility, and retail relationships — areas that Raquel & Patricia are focusing on. Cigar Aficionado - halfwheel
Being female leaders in a male-dominated tobacco/cigar industry, their visible leadership helps reshape perceptions and opens the way for more inclusive expectations about who leads and how cigar businesses operate.
Photo Credit: Cigar Aficionado
Photo Credit:: Quesada Cigars
5. Mónika Kelner — Founder & Business Owner, Tobacco Leaf Sorting (Dominican Republic)
Primary Role: Business owner of Tobacco Leaf Sorting, a specialist company in buying, processing, classifying, and growing premium cigar wrapper tobacco in the Dominican Republic. Ritmo Social
Nationality / Location: Dominican Republic (though coming from a family with Netherlands/Swiss–Dutch tobacco roots via Kelner)
Industry Focus: Premium cigar wrapper (and filler/binder) leaf cultivation & classification, with a strong emphasis on quality, terroir, and non-traditional zones like Cotuí.
Background & Entry into the Industry
Mónika Kelner is the daughter of Hendrik (“Henke”) Kelner of Tabadom fame, a significant legacy in Dominican cigar leaf growth and manufacturing. Her early exposure to tobacco came via summer work in her father’s factory from age 10. Ritmo Social
At age 18 she formally entered the workforce in Tabadom as a coordinator of corporate activities and gave support to the annual trade show PROCIGAR Festival. sistersinsmoke.net - Ritmo Social
She pioneered cultivation of wrapper-grade leaf in the Cotuí region (Dominican Republic), which previously was not a major wrapper zone. She noted: “I was pioneer in obtaining capa (wrapper) tobacco in the Cotuí zone.” Ritmo Social
Founding of Tobacco Leaf Sorting
In her mid-20s, with the support of her husband Augusto Reyes Vargas (also in the tobacco business), Mónika established her own company, Tobacco Leaf Sorting, focusing on classification, processing, and distribution of premium leaves. Ritmo Social
By 2011 she had expanded into actual cultivation of wrapper tobacco in Cotuí, producing “exclusive high-quality” leaves. Ritmo Social
Unlike many leaf brokers or large farms, her emphasis is on boutique quality—wrapper leaf grown, processed and sorted to premium standards, rather than bulk commodity production.
Key Contributions & Significance
Breaking new ground in geography: Through her work in Cotuí, Mónika expanded the map of premium cigar wrapper zones in the Dominican Republic. This diversification matters in an industry where wrapper quality and uniqueness are major differentiators. Ritmo Social
Role model for women in tobacco: In an industry heavily male-dominated—especially on the field/growing side—she stands out as a visible female grower, processor and business owner. In her own words: “The combination of strength, delicacy, commitment and passion that the woman has is what surpasses the presence of men, both in the field and in manufacturing of tobacco.” Ritmo Social
Quality over scale ethos: Mónika emphasises that her business focuses on “differentiation rather than diversification,” meaning selecting specific zones, cultivars and processing methods to craft high quality leaf rather than mass volume. Ritmo Social
Supply chain excellence: By managing classification, sorting, and early processing, her company helps cigar manufacturers secure wrapper leaf that meets exacting grade, color, size, texture specs. This matters because wrapper leaf is one of the most visible and costly components of premium cigars.
Challenges & Context
Growing wrapper leaf is inherently risky: it requires optimal soil, climate, curing barns, labour expressing and market consistency. Entering a non-traditional zone like Cotuí means trial and investment, and possibly longer ROI.
Being a woman leading a leaf-farming/sorting business in tobacco means facing cultural and structural hurdles—field labour traditions, expectations of male growers, and industry perception.
Market pressures (regulation, rising costs, consolidation in cigar manufacturing) put strains on small/medium leaf suppliers maintaining consistent premium pricing and quality has become increasingly challenging.
Recent Activities & Outlook
As of 2022, she was profiled in Dominican media as a “successful tobacco producer” and a woman leader in the field of high-end cigar wrapper cultivation. Ritmo Social
Her company continues to supply high-grade wrapper leaf to premium cigar manufacturers; maintaining this niche is likely to be a growth path as cigar manufacturers increasingly seek differentiated wrappers to stand out in a competitive premium segment.
Looking forward: It is probable her business will continue focusing on boutique/limited editions (wrapped in her Cotuí leaf) and building partnerships with premium brands that seek exclusivity.
Photo Credit: Cigar Journal
Photo Credit: issuu.com
6. Bienvenida Ovalles - Co-Founder of Abeja Cigars, Santiago (Dominican Republic).
Name: Bienvenida Ovalles
Location: Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.
Role: Owner and operator of Abeja Cigars, a cigar factory and brand manufacturing operation. Cigar Journal – directorioscaribe.com
Founded: The factory began operations with a contract in 1997. Cigar Journal – directorioscaribe.com
Background & Business
Bienvenida Ovalles comes from a family with ties in the tobacco/cigar industry. Despite those links, she created a business of her own—Abeja Cigars—in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Cigar Journal
The company began by manufacturing cigars under contract for other brands (for example, the initial contract for “Cojimar cigars” in 1997) and has since grown to produce millions of cigars annually. Cigar Journal
Under her leadership, Abeja Cigars has differentiated itself by combining manufacturing scale with internal culture: the factory is described as “one of the most open, welcoming … in Santiago” featuring outdoor staff spaces and a distinct décor (blue & yellow theme). Cigar Journal
Contributions & Significance
Bienvenida is one of the relatively few women to own and operate a cigar factory, especially in the Dominican Republic, a region widely recognized for cigar manufacturing but traditionally male-led. Cigar Journal
Her factory has supplied cigars to well-known brands (e.g., “Heavenly,” “Scarface”) which suggests her facility’s quality and capability. Cigar Journal – gqtobaccos.com
She emphasized both production capacity and internal culture/hospitality in the factory’s environment, indicating a blend of operational excellence and human-centric leadership.
Key Facts
Location detail: Abeja Cigars is listed in a Dominican business directory under “Abeja Cigar, SRL / Bienvenida Alt. Ovalles, Calle Los Rieles, Canca La Piedra, Tamboril” (“Tamboril” being a leading cigar-leaf and cigar-factory region) – showing her direct ownership/leadership. directorioscaribe.com
The brand “Juliany” is mentioned as being produced at her factory and is cited as:
“Abeja are a prime example, founded by Bienvenida Ovalles in Santiago back in 1997. Since then the factory has been rolling cigars for the likes of Heaven, Scarface and other private lines.” Jeffrey st. Whisky & Tobacco - Cigar Journal
Challenges & Outlook
Running a factory means dealing with issues such as leaf sourcing, labour, quality control, compliance (especially given changing global tobacco regulation), and export logistics. For a woman in this space, she likely had to overcome structural and cultural barriers.
As cigar manufacturing evolves (automation, consolidation, global market shifts, regulatory headwinds), maintaining a boutique or contract-factory model successfully requires flexibility and foresight—something her track record suggests she possesses.
Opportunities for her likely include growing her own leaf supply (noted: her factory is growing filler and binder in Canca, Tamboril) and possibly launching proprietary brands rather than only contract manufacturing. Cigar Journal
Photo Credit: Humo Latino
7. Karen Berger - Founder of Karen Berger Cigars (USA)
Full Name & Role
Karen Berger is the founder of the premium cigar brand K by Karen Berger (now rebranded as Karen Berger Cigars).
She also owns the company previously known as Don Kiki Cigars, and oversees operations including a cigar factory and her own tobaccos/farms in Nicaragua. Tobacco Business Magazine – Cigar Journal – Cigar Coop
Background & Entry into the Industry
Karen began working in the cigar industry at age 18, taking a job as a torcedora (hand‐roller) at a factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Tobacco Business Magazine – cigarslover.com
Through that experience she met and later married Enrique “Kiki” Berger (“Don Kiki”), who became her mentor in cigar‐making, blending and factory operations. Tobacco Business Magazine
After Don Kiki’s passing in 2014, Karen took over the full business operations and later launched her own brand line in 2016. Cigar Coop - Tobacco Business Magazine
Business & Brand Development
The brand K by Karen Berger is a Nicaraguan puro: the tobacco is grown in Estelí, Nicaragua, and the cigars are hand‐rolled there, highlighting Karen’s commitment to production excellence. cigarslover.com - Tobacco Business Magazine
In April 2023 it was announced that the company would change its name from “K by Karen Berger” to “Karen Berger Cigars” for branding clarity, while retaining the product lines. halfwheel
Karen is credited with being involved in all stages: from farming, leaf selection, blending, to retail/consumer engagement—she emphasizes learning and remaining hands‐on. Tobacco Business Magazine - cigarslover.com
Achievements & Recognition
She was named “Tobacco Businesswoman of the Year” in 2021, a recognition of her leadership in what remains a male‐dominated industry. Tobacco Business Magazine
Her brand released the “K by Karen Berger 25th Anniversary” cigar (collaboration with A. J. Fernández) in 2022, marking Karen’s 25 years in the industry - the cigar earned high reviews (e.g., 95 points) in specialist press. Stogie Press - Cigar Coop
Significance & Influence
Karen Berger stands out as one of the very few female founders and owners of a premium cigar brand who come from production/manufacturing background (not just marketing). This gives her strong credibility in craft and quality.
Her story—starting as a roller, then becoming an owner, blender, and brand leader—offers an inspiring model for aspiring women in the cigar crafts world.
The vertical integration of her business (farm → factory → brand → retail) demonstrates an approach to premium cigar business which emphasises control, quality, and authenticity.
Current Direction & Outlook
Recent product launches show her commitment to innovation: e.g., the “Kfire” blend in 2023 which pushed boundaries in branding and blend design. Cigar Inspector
She continues to build brand presence in the U.S., Europe, and other markets, while preserving craft roots. Her brand’s retail operations (e.g., her store in Daytona Beach, Florida) keep her close to the consumer side of the business. Tobacco Business Magazine
Likely future focus: leveraging her farm/factory expertise to create limited edition premium releases, expanding women's visibility in cigar culture, and maintaining brand identity amid industry consolidation.
Photo Credit: Tobacco Business Magazine
Photo Credit: Buffalo Cigars
8. Desiree Sylver – Founder of Drunk Chicken Cigars (USA)
Full name and role
Desiree Sylver is the founder and CEO of Drunk Chicken Cigars, a boutique cigar company in the United States that is minority-owned, women-owned, and built around craftsmanship, community and purpose. drunkchickencigar.com – Cigar World – belvederelounge.net
Background & Story
Desiree holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and has over 20 years of experience as a cigar enthusiast. drunkchickencigar.com - Cigar World
The inspiration for the brand came from her backyard social circle: gatherings with friends and family, chickens roaming, cigars being shared. The anecdote behind the name: during a barbecue her chickens “seemed to stumble as if they were drunk” and the phrase stuck. SOTL Global Movement - drunkchickencigar.com
In 2019, she officially launched Drunk Chicken Cigars, targeting an “Anytime of the Day” cigar experience and focusing on handcrafted small-batch production. Cigar Inspector – Drunk Chicken Cigars
Business & Achievements
Drunk Chicken Cigars is described as a woman-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned boutique cigar business based in Washington, D.C. Area. drunkchickencigar.com - SOTL Global Movement
A key milestone: In October 2024, the company announced a distribution agreement with City of Palms Distribution Services to extend reach across Florida & the U.S. Market. halfwheel
The brand celebrated its 5th anniversary in August 2024 and introduced elegant black anniversary boxes to mark the occasion. Cigar Inspector
Philosophy & Influence
Desiree emphasizes that her goal is inclusivity: making cigars accessible, welcoming to new enthusiasts and not just the traditional male-dominated image of cigar culture. belvederelounge.net - Cigar World
She is hands-on in leadership, maintaining the brand ethos of authenticity, user-experience, and community. From her interview:
“Our motto … ‘Anytime of the Day Cigars’ … something people can enjoy without intimidation.” Cigar World
Her story is emblematic of how women are increasingly visible not just as consumers but as entrepreneurs and leaders in the cigar industry. belvederelounge.net
Notable Products & Developments
Among Drunk Chicken Cigars’ lines are blends like Mother Clucker, Homicidal Hen, Fat Hen, Sweet Dreams, etc. Drunk Chicken Cigars - drunkchickencigar.com
They are launching new lines and editions: for example “The Henchman”—a limited release with a Nicaraguan twist, debuting around PCA 2025. halfwheel
Photo Credit: Tobacco Business
9. Lissette Perez-Carrillo – Co-Founder of Casa Carrillo Cigars (USA)
Early Life & Background
Lissette Pérez-Carrillo was born into one of the most acclaimed cigar families: the Pérez-Carrillo family, whose roots trace back to Cuba and later the Dominican Republic and U.S. cigar industry. Casa Carrillo Cigars – V CDN – CigarSnob
From a very young age she was involved: by her own account she was helping put bands on cigars around age 5 in her father’s factory. V CDN - CigarSnob
She pursued higher education: graduate degrees in legal studies and psychology, and for about ten years worked as a full-time attorney before returning full-time to the family cigar business. CigarSnob - V CDN
Role at Casa Carrillo & Key Contributions
She is co-owner alongside her father, Ernesto Pérez-Carrillo Jr. and brother, in the company that has rebranded to Casa Carrillo, unifying the family heritage brands under one roof. Mysite - Casa Carrillo Cigars
In July 2024 she was elected to the Board of Directors of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), leveraging her legal and business expertise to help guide industry policy and advocacy. CigarSnob - Casa Carrillo Cigars
Beyond board-service, she has been key in product development. For example, the launch of the new “La Historia Silk” line (2025) was inspired by her noticing increased female engagement in the cigar world and reflecting that in a cigar designed for all smokers. Cigar Inspector – Cigar Journal
Philosophy & Influence
Lissette emphasises the importance of listening: her remark “Silk was born from listening” speaks to her collaborative approach to product development and to reshaping the cigar narrative to be more inclusive. haveapremiumcigar.com
Her unique profile—combining legal training, deep family-industry roots, and executive leadership—positions her as a bridge between tradition and future of the premium cigar segment.
By participating at the PCA board level, she elevates female representation in industry governance as well as brand leadership.
Selected Facts & Highlights
Industry inception: Joined the family business formally in 2009 as co-owner of E.P. Carrillo (which later became part of Casa Carrillo). CigarSnob – halfwheel
Brand evolution: As part of Casa Carrillo’s rebrand and global strategy, she plays a role in aligning the family heritage, manufacturing (Dominican Republic), branding, and global distribution. Mysite
New product launch: In August 2025, Casa Carrillo released La Historia Silk, a medium-bodied 6×52 toro wrappered Ecuador Habano, notable for being inspired by women’s insights. Lissette’s quote:
“Silk was born from listening … It reflects the stories, experiences, and insights of women in our industry, while being crafted for all cigar lovers.” CigarSnob
Looking Ahead
Continuing expansion of Casa Carrillo’s global footprint, under her leadership, especially focusing on new blends, packaging, and outreach that reflect broader audience tastes.
Further involvement in industry governance and advocacy via the PCA, influencing how premium cigar businesses adapt to regulation, trade, and market change.
Potential for more women-led initiatives or product lines within the brand’s portfolio, signifying a shift in how premium cigar brands think about market segments and consumer identity.
Photo Credit: Cigar Aficionado
In essence, the women of the cigar world — past and present — are not merely inheriting legacies, they are reshaping them.
Their collective story mirrors the evolution of the cigar itself: a product rooted in history yet alive with reinvention.
As more women assume leadership roles, the future of cigars looks poised to be richer, more diverse, and far more inclusive — a smoke shared not just in celebration of craftsmanship, but of equality and progress.
Important Notice
"This article features the names, biographies, and careers in the cigar industry of nine (9) prominent personalities.
If any of them do not wish to be included in this article, please contact via email
Edited by Marios Krokos
Industrial designer