Intern Impact: Zarisia and Kaoutar Share How Initiative Drives Growth

September 26, 2025

Meet Zarisia and Kaoutar: Two teammates who highlight a culture where questions are welcomed, collaboration is key and every intern has the opportunity to make a real impact.

For Finance Manager Zarisia A., the journey at Stanley Black & Decker has been defined by curiosity, initiative and a passion for people. Today, Zarisia leads a global finance team supporting multiple business units – overseeing forecasting, financial analysis and cross-functional projects that impact daily company decision-making. She is known for fostering collaboration between finance and other departments, ensuring her team’s work is both strategic and actionable. “I always tell interns: Stay curious, ask questions – even the ones you think are silly – and never be afraid to show initiative,” Zarisia shares.

As a former intern herself, Zarisia manages current interns and helps her former interns transition into full-time roles, often seeing them thrive and move into leadership positions of their own. “It is incredibly rewarding to watch someone you have mentored go from asking questions on day one to leading projects and mentoring others. That is how we build a strong pipeline and a culture of support,” she reflects. Zarisia’s leadership style is rooted in empathy, openness and a genuine investment in her team’s development, ensuring every new hire and intern feels empowered to contribute and grow.

“Leadership is about lifting others up and helping them see their own potential.”
Zarisia A.
Sr. Finance Manager

This spirit of curiosity and initiative is embodied by finance intern Kaoutar C. Drawn to Stanley Black & Decker for its welcoming culture and hands-on learning environment, Kaoutar has made it her mission to ask questions, seek feedback and immerse herself fully in every project.

“I am always looking for ways to learn more, whether it is taking extra courses or organizing meetings to connect with my team,” Kaoutar explains. Her summer assignment – improving the Company’s forecasting – has pushed her to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world finance, and she has embraced every challenge with enthusiasm.

A group of Stanley Black & Decker interns and employees

Kaoutar’s proactive approach has not gone unnoticed. She regularly volunteers for new tasks, initiates conversations with colleagues across departments and turns every networking opportunity into a chance for growth. “What excites me most is the trust my team places in me,” she says. Through her curiosity and drive, Kaoutar is already making an impact and building the foundation for a promising career.

“I am encouraged to dig deeper, experiment, and come up with solutions. It’s empowering to know that my curiosity and initiative are valued here.”
Kaoutar C.
Finance Intern

Together, Zarisia and Kaoutar’s stories bring to life the strengths of a culture that encourages learning, leadership that nurtures potential and a dynamic pipeline that turns interns into future leaders. Their experiences showcase how curiosity and initiative are not just encouraged – they are celebrated, helping to shape the next generation of professionals and future leaders.

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