Mentorship That Lasts.

A Q&A with Misti Stanton on guiding the next generation

Misti Stanton, Talent and Culture Officer at Mercantile Bank, was recently recognized as the Top Honoree in the Brilliant Mentor category at the West Michigan Women Brilliance Awards. The honor reflects a lifelong commitment to mentorship spanning more than 35 years in the Grand Rapids community. From championing mentorship at every stage of life to working closely with Mercantile’s Summer Interns, Misti is deeply invested in creating meaningful experiences for students and early career professionals. Misti shared her thoughts on why mentorship matters and what great mentoring can look like.  

Table of Contents

• Why do you believe mentorship is especially important for people early in their careers?
• What qualities do you think matter most when mentoring interns and early-career professionals? 
• How do you balance giving guidance while still empowering someone to find their own voice and confidence? 
• What’s one moment with a mentee that reminded you why mentoring matters? 
• As intern season begins, what mindset should interns bring into their experience from day one? 
• How can interns make the most of their time with mentors during a short internship window? 
• What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a mentor, but isn’t sure they’re “experienced enough” yet? 

Why do you believe mentorship is especially important for people early in their careers?

I believe that early mentorship is where learning really begins. It helps people grow, build confidence, and learn how to navigate their path. A mentor can help someone avoid common missteps while still encouraging them to figure out who they want to be and where they want to go. When you learn those lessons early, it creates a strong foundation for long term growth.

What qualities do you think matter most when mentoring interns and early-career professionals?

It’s important to remember that it’s their journey, not yours. A mentor isn’t there to steer someone down a specific path, but to listen, understand, and help uncover their individual strengths. Strong communication and truly understanding the person you’re mentoring are essential. You may see yourself in them, but your role is to help them develop their own gifts, not to turn them into a version of you.

How do you balance giving guidance while still empowering someone to find their own voice and confidence?

Mentorship isn’t always about protecting someone from mistakes. Those moments can become valuable lessons. As a mentor, you can help them reflect, talk through what happened, and grow from it. Honest communication, even when it can be uncomfortable, builds trust. Understanding your mentee is key in this.

What’s one moment with a mentee that reminded you why mentoring matters?

There are so many moments, but mentorship done well often comes full circle. At the Brilliance Awards, I reconnected with someone I mentored years ago. She’s a working professional now and shared how she learned to be her true self. Those full circle moments remind you of the impact you had. That is the real meaning of mentorship for me. 

As intern season begins, what mindset should interns bring into their experience from day one?

Be prepared and show up ready to both receive and contribute. Be open to learning, trying new things, and taking the experience seriously. Growth goes both ways and each intern brings valuable perspectives of their own. This is the first step in building a foundation for what comes next, so take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow.

How can interns make the most of their time with mentors during a short internship window?

Have a plan and be intentional. Ask yourself what skill you want to learn or strengthen each day or week. Learn the organization’s culture and look for ways to get involved. Everyone can be a mentor, not just your direct supervisor. Job shadowing is a great way to gain exposure, and sharing experiences with your intern cohort helps build confidence and connection. At Mercantile, we have a weekly intern call that helps to create space to connect, share, and even practice presenting in a supportive environment. We also involve interns in a community service project each summer, which is a great way to learn collaboration, communication, and compromise.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a mentor, but isn’t sure they’re “experienced enough” yet?

Everyone can be a mentor, there’s no age or experience requirement. Mentorship is rooted in respect, listening, and communication. If you genuinely care about someone’s path, that’s mentorship. It looks different in every situation, and sometimes it’s simply showing up and listening. Peers can be mentors to each other, and sometimes mentorship happens from afar. If you choose to be intentional about supporting someone, you’re already doing the work.