Excellence in Community Banking
Doug Ouellette is continuing a family tradition of service as he’s honored by Community Bankers of Michigan (CBM).
1 min read
Blending financial expertise with community purpose, Emily Cauzillo sets the standard for what it means to be an emerging leader in banking.
A leader inspires, embraces change, and finds purpose in the work they do. Emily Cauzlillo has done just that over the past decade, and we’re thrilled to announce that she’s been recognized by the American Bankers Association as a 2025 Emerging Leader!
Emily led the establishment of Mercantile Community Partners (MCP), a subsidiary of Mercantile Bank Corp. with a mission to provide innovative financial solutions that address critical affordable housing needs and enrich the communities we serve. Under her leadership and synergy with our commercial banking team, MCP has become a “one-stop shop” for developers seeking debt and equity financing for projects utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), or Historic Tax Credits (HTC). In fact, Mercantile is the only community bank in Michigan with the in-house expertise that Emily brings.
Beyond her professional achievements, Emily is deeply committed to volunteerism and was introduced to the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program early in her career. As a VITA Site Coordinator, she manages volunteer recruitment, training, and certification to provide free income tax preparation services to qualified individuals. In this year’s tax season alone, Emily volunteered nearly 200 hours of her time and led a team of 34 volunteers who served over 700 households.
Emily exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, humility, and heart. Congratulations on your recognition, Emily!
Read more about the ABA Emerging Leaders at ABA Emerging Leader Awards | American Bankers Association.
“Banking has provided a career path with purpose and pride, and I’m passionate about sharing that with others to bring them along the way. I’m grateful for this recognition alongside so many other talented bankers. It’s a meaningful way to shine a light on the shared commitment to our organizations and communities.”
- Emily Cauzillo
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