Caroline C.

Building Success Through Mentorship

One aspect that drew Caroline to the program was access to intentional mentorship opportunities. Her manager—Ashley H., VP, HR Seasonal and Specialty Distribution Brands—quickly became a trusted mentor. “She played a crucial role in strengthening my sense of belonging by fostering a safe and encouraging learning environment,” Caroline states. “Ashley kept expectations clear and helped identify regular opportunities for my growth based on my goals.”

Caroline appreciates that Ashley took time to include her in discussions on topics such as talent and succession planning. “This offered insight into strategic decision-making and reinforced her trust in my development,” she explains.  

From Ashley’s perspective, the most effective mentoring relationships develop naturally. “Our relationship evolved during her rotation, and I prioritized getting to know her as an individual,” she shares. “Understanding what mattered to her helped me tailor my support to her aspirations.”

Both Caroline and Ashley believe strong relationships start with trust. “Authenticity is key,” Ashley states. “When both parties trust each other, it creates a foundation for honest, open dialogue and meaningful growth.”

Caroline found one trust-building practice particularly meaningful while working on Ashley’s team. “We started each team meeting by sharing a weekly win, whether professional or personal,” she describes. “This reinforced our appreciation for each other as individuals and helped build strong team relationships. This combination of trust, access and authentic connection made me realize I truly belonged at Stanley Black & Decker.” 

New Teams, New Experiences

As part of the program, participants move between different teams across our Company. With this cross-functional exposure, individuals gain invaluable insights into our entire organization and collaborate with partners beyond their immediate area of expertise.

“During my HR generalist rotation, I partnered closely with teams such as talent acquisition, payroll, legal and finance—for everything from hiring and onboarding to handling sensitive employee matters,” she explains. “These collaborations taught me the value of aligning perspectives, understanding dependencies and clear communication.”

She continued working cross-functionally after transitioning to the communications team, delivering enterprise-wide messaging on topics such as benefits enrollment. “Although the work looked different, the core skill was the same, bringing together subject matter experts to create accurate and engaging outcomes for employees,” she says. “Seeing this skill translate across roles reinforced the value of collaboration in driving strong results.”

A Global Community

Caroline credits working at an international Company with helping her broaden her perspective. “In my HR generalist rotation, my focus was on supporting US-based employees,” she explains. “However, participating in global HR meetings helped me understand how local decisions are informed by global frameworks, shared values and consistent standards.”

Her rotation onto the communications team further emphasized this global perspective. While on the team, she helped create content for an international audience. Her work planning DEWALT® Day—a celebration of the 100th anniversary of DEWALT®—serves as an example of this approach. “We ensured that activations and messaging were engaging for employees worldwide,” she says. “Experiences like these demonstrate how intentional communication can create shared moments and foster connections across an international workforce.”

Now in her final SLP rotation, Caroline provides HR generalist support at our Dallas manufacturing facility and will graduate from the program this summer. “The Company’s investment in people and the focus on collaboration have made this an environment where I feel supported, challenged and excited to continue growing my career here,” she shares.