First Vice President, Talent & Culture Officer | Mercantile Bank
Misti Lynn Stanton has served as a mentorship champion in the Grand Rapids community for over 35 years. Her mentorship and service background first took root when she worked at Grand Rapids Public Schools for more than a quarter of a century. She also served as the Program Manager for Heart of West Michigan United Way Schools of Hope, laying the foundation for the program’s inception.
One of Stanton’s proudest achievements is the Mercantile Bank Summer Internship Program she founded in 2014, having impacted the lives and professional journeys of over 200 young people. Mentoring these students provided the opportunity to be exposed to professional etiquette, networking, and careers in the financial industry. Stanton possesses a fervent passion for mentorship, dedicating her career to enhancing students’ life journeys. Her guiding principle is that knowledge can be shared through the sharing of life experiences.
“I truly do want people to win. I often think, ‘How can I expose people to their own destiny or opportunity?’ When I think about mentoring other people, I think about their vulnerability and fears and how important it is to remember that everyone needs someone to help them on their journey.”
