you do. You’ ll likely be putting in more hours than you think.
• Treat your employees like the family members you like best. You’ ll be spending most of your time with them.
• Create a drama-free work environment. There’ s so much work to do. Getting it done should be a good experience.
• Lead by example. Show that you spend the company’ s money and resources wisely. Clean up as you go. Be conscientious. Be a kind person.
• Take responsibility if( when) things go wrong. You’ re the boss.
NORA GANLEY- ROPER
Co-founder and General Manager at Lost Lantern
How did you first get started in the beverage alcohol industry?
My first role in the industry was as a salesperson at Astor Wines & Spirits in New York City. I was primarily focused on wine when I started but I very quickly was promoted to Sales Manager. In that role I needed to be able to answer all the questions that might be escalated to me, so I had to quickly learn a ton about all types of spirits. It was an amazing crash course on all sides of the industry!
Did you have a mentor in the industry? Have you been a mentor to others?
I have not had a mentor in the industry. I don’ t feel like there were a lot of opportunities to find a mentor when I was moving up. That being said, I have a range of people that I go to for different types of advice or feedback. In some ways, I’ ve cobbled together a mentor through a range of important relationships!
Right now, I am mentoring in a more informal way than I have in the past. I try to make myself available when someone reaches out for help or advice, but the conversations are usually more ad hoc than structured right now.
Have you faced challenges as a woman in a leadership position in what’ s still a male-dominated industry?
Yes— I have frankly been shocked by the tenor of some negotiations with some potential vendors during my time setting up Lost Lantern. The discrepancy in prices and engagement style between what I experienced and what my co-founder, who is a man, experienced was truly surprising. There was an incorrect assumption that he was the boss and that led to some awkward conversations. Luckily, while there are some bad apples, I have by-andlarge had positive experiences.
How has your company benefited from having women at the table making decisions?
Whiskey is still so associated with masculinity so having norm-breaking perspectives at the table is so important. How do you break down stereotypes if you don’ t have people to point them out? Having a range of perspectives during decision-making makes us more thoughtful and creative. That can only lead to greater success!
Do you think the beverage alcohol industry has improved as far as women and gender inclusion in the past five years?
Yes, but there’ s still a very long way to go. It feels like the industry is more aware of the problem but it’ s one thing to acknowledge a problem and it’ s an entirely other thing to actually make real progress at fixing the problem. For what it’ s worth, I still regularly get asked if I even like whiskey despite being both Lost Lantern’ s general manager and head blender.
What advice do you have for other women looking to get into the beverage alcohol industry?
I think an important place to start is to be honest with yourself about what you can expect from the industry. We’ ve got a long way to go. It’ s sometimes exciting to think about being part of the change in the industry but your experience will also likely be discouraging along the way. So, go in with your eyes wide open and find your people in the industry. Having a support system even if it’ s just a place to vent is so important!
LARISSA ARJONA
President and Co-founder of Women Leading Rum & Spirits
How did you first get started in the beverage alcohol industry?
When I moved from Panama to Spain, I naturally became a kind of cultural ambassador. Panama is a small country, but our people are full of pride and passion. One of the things that brings Panamanians together— no matter where we are— is our food, our music and our rum.
I began organizing gatherings for the Panamanian community in Madrid, and Ron Abuelo was always at the heart of those celebrations. That was the first time I wasn’ t just enjoying Abuelo, I was working with it. That experience sparked a deep connection that has only grown stronger over time.
Today, as president of Women Leading Rum & Spirits, I see how powerful these connections can be. We are building bridges between cultures, brands, and women across the world who are transforming the spirits industry with their leadership and unique perspective.
2025 WOMEN IN BEVERAGE 15