SOTL Global Movement Meeting Hosted at Fuente Headquarters

After fulfilling its founding mission, the SOTL Global Movement has entered a new era. On May 10, 2025, Dr. Anastasia Psomiadi, the Founder and President of the SOTL Global Movement, invited and brought together ten of the most influential women in the cigar industry. Cynthia Fuente, a member of the Advisory Board, opened the doors of Fuente Headquarters for this historic, high-impact leadership meeting, stating: “It’s the first time in cigar history that so many women leaders have gathered to shape the next chapter of our industry, and we thank Anastasia for leading this vision and making it a reality.”

This intimate gathering brought together:
Leonor Abzaradel, Patricia Khalaf, Romy Kashouty, Belkys Sanchez, Temi Bu, Desiree Sylver, Elizabeth Santos, Karen Berger, and Shirley McClellan, alongside Dr. Psomiadi and Cynthia herself.

Surrounded by the spirit and legacy of the Fuente family, the group engaged in deep, strategic dialogue—while sharing cigars from Cynthia’s personal humidor, a powerful symbol of trust, tradition, and generosity.

To expand the global perspective, women leaders from around the world joined via Zoom, offering their voices, insights, and passion from across continents.

“It was a milestone,” said Dr. Psomiadi. “From farms and factory floors to boardrooms, we invite women and men to use SGM as a vehicle for personal and professional growth—aligned with our global values”.

Together, the women leaders defined the renewed mission of the SOTL Global Movement—grounded in five core commitments:

• Women’s leadership as the foundation
• Empowering and promoting the vital role of women in cigar farms and factories
• Recognizing and honoring cigar brands and initiatives with purpose, impact, and values
• Fostering cross-industry collaboration to drive social change and sustainable development
• Expanding legacy initiatives such as the Maestro School of Cigar Sommeliers, the Global Network of SOTL Destinations, the Alumni Series, the partnership with HUMO LATINO that celebrates personal stories from the cigar world, and the launch of a new documentary series focused on women in the fields and factories.