Merith V.

Growing up, Merith spent time working on cars with her father. “While my dad was under the hood covered in grease, I was his helper — running back and forth between the car and the toolbox and holding the flashlight,” she shares. “In my role at Stanley Black & Decker, I have the chance to work on tools that will create similar memories for fathers and daughters. That means so much to me.” 

Merith goes on to explain the sacrifices her family made to provide for a good life and instill in her the value of hard work. She was raised in Southern California, but her family is from the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. She’s grateful for the role her family’s support played in her career. “I’ll never be able to repay them for the long hours they spent working under the sun to further our education,” she says.

An Environment Where Careers Can Grow…And Thrive  

Finding a supportive workplace also helped Merith develop in her career. She joined the Stanley Black & Decker Leadership Program following her college graduation and credits her teammates and managers for easing her transition into the professional world.   

“I was overwhelmed with the new terminology and procedures. But my team created a welcoming environment where I could learn what it’s like to be an engineer outside the classroom,” she explains. “My first rotation manager provided the foundation I needed to start my career and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone to gain new experiences.”  

Where Creativity and Big Ideas Are Encouraged  

For Merith, engineering is more than just a career. It represents an opportunity to express her creativity. In school, she was encouraged to take both art and STEM-based classes. “Both areas emphasize creativity from different perspectives,” she says.   

Stanley Black & Decker’s culture of innovation proved to be the perfect place to grow her career. “Innovation is everywhere here. Outside the box thinking is encouraged,” Merith shares. “When you walk through the office, you often strike up conversations about an idea with the people you pass, leading to further innovation.” 

Diverse Perspectives Drive Success 

This year’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month — Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power and Progress in America — particularly resonated with her. “There’s a saying in our community: ‘el orgullo Latino’ or ‘pride Latino.’ To have this pride means having the strength to overcome any obstacle. Through my work, I carry the experiences of my ancestors and my community. I am proud to be Mexican and Latina,” Merith says.

She appreciates Stanley Black & Decker’s Racial Equity Roadmap, which includes $10.5 million in donations by 2027 to organizations like Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers that promote diversity and inclusivity. “I’m proud of being part of a company that’s committed to breaking down barriers and furthering the careers of people with similar backgrounds to my own,” she says.