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Dignity Grows Hartford Chapter Leadership

National Operations Associate

Rebecca Carroll

[email protected]

Becca has served as National Opperations Associate for the Hartford Chapter of Dignity Grows since 2022. In this role, she oversees the coordination of monthly hygiene tote distributions, manages inventory and logistics, and maintains partnerships with more than 100 social service agencies across Greater Hartford.

Additionally, Becca leads volunteer engagement and supports the planning and execution of large-scale packing events, including the chapter’s signature initiatives. She also supports fundraising efforts and community outreach to expand access to essential hygiene products throughout the region.

Program Assistant

Jerrell Starling

[email protected]

Jerrell Starling was part of the Dignity Grows family for several years as a partner and mission-focused presenter before joining the staff team. He brings a rich background of advocacy and community leadership to his role as Program Assistant.
 
As the founder of Heroes in Training, Jerrell has decades of experience empowering young adults through physical fitness and social-emotional wellness. The organization provides youth with a uniquely heightened sense of confidence, discipline, awareness, and an obligation to serve and represent their communities in the best way possible. 
 
Jerrell is a sought-after public speaker and served as keynote at the Nutmeg Big Brothers/Big Sisters annual meeting. One of his proudest successes came through his relationship with Dignity Grows, as he personally connected dozens of families with much needed hygiene support while educating the teens in the households on menstrual hygiene without taboos.
 
Jerrell serves as a Social Emotional Learning Instructor in an urban school system, where he pioneered the “Simple Wisdom” class. He also teaches numerous fitness classes each week and is an Olympic referee and active philanthropist with USA Boxing.

Dignity Grows Hartford Steering Committee

Steering Committee Chair

Leslie Pickman

Hi, I’m Leslie—a former educator turned HR professional, passionate leader, and proud
champion of people, purpose, and pizza (cheese, obviously).
For over two decades, I’ve been helping others feel seen, supported, and empowered—whether
I was leading a classroom full of second graders or navigating the ever-changing world of
employee benefits and engagement. My journey from teacher to HR pro wasn’t planned, but
let’s just say… when life handed me a curriculum, I rewrote it with empathy, strategy, and a
whole lot of coffee.
Today, I specialize in Human Resources, Total Rewards, employee engagement, well-being
communication, and making complex benefit plans sound like something you’d actually want to
read. I believe people do their best work when they feel informed, included, and inspired—and I
take pride in building cultures where people matter more than metrics.
I’m also proud to serve as the Chairwoman of the Hartford Steering Committee of Dignity Grows,
a nonprofit dedicated to providing hygiene products to those in need—because no one should
have to choose between dignity and basic necessities. Whether I’m organizing volunteer
opportunities, launching a wellness campaign, or hosting a lunch-and-learn on period poverty, I
show up with heart, humor, and hustle.
My leadership style? Think: your quirky teacher mixed with a dash of HR nerd and a big scoop of
“let’s make work more human.” I lead with passion, advocate for equity, and believe in the ripple
effect of doing the right thing—even when no one’s watching.
Outside of work, you’ll find me capturing life through a camera lens, writing my memoir (spoiler:
it’s called Memoirs of a Nobody), and trying to teach my daughter that kindness, resilience, and
sarcasm are all valuable life skills.