Rachael Ausmus honored by American Bankers Association with Emerging Leaders Award
Kansas City – Rachael Ausmus, Director of Private Banking at Country Club Bank was honored by the American Bankers Association as a recipient of its 2024 ABA Emerging Leader Awards during the ABA Annual Convention in New York. This award recognizes the next generation of bank leaders who are committed to the highest standards of achievement and service to both their industry and local communities.
The winners were selected by a diverse steering committee of industry professionals after a review of nominations from banks across the country. The qualities and characteristics the committee evaluated as judging criteria included dedication to the profession, inventiveness, leadership skills, mentoring ability, personal integrity, tenure at the bank and broader commitment to a career in banking, sustained career progress, and academic training including advanced degrees and certificates/certifications.
“During her tenure at Country Club Bank, Rachael has consistently proven to be a remarkable asset to our organization,” said Joe Close, President of Country Club Bank. “She has not only excelled in her role as a commercial lender serving the nonprofit, professional services and C&I sectors but has also gone above and beyond by assuming leadership responsibilities and serving as a mentor to her colleagues. Her commitment to teamwork and her ability to inspire and motivate others have earned her the respect and admiration of her peers.”
Rachael began her tenure at Country Club Bank in 2018, where she was a Vice President of Commercial Lending. In that role, Rachael specialized in nurturing relationships with nonprofits, professional services, and medical practices. She has been pivotal in maintaining and expanding a robust commercial lending portfolio and has also played a crucial role in internal initiatives, including developing a multi-year strategic plan, optimizing internal processes, recruiting top talent and customizing loan origination software.
Rachael’s banking career began in 2006 and has included commercial roles at Fidelity Bank and Alterra Bank in the Kansas City area and American Heritage National Bank in Minnesota. She is currently a board member for the Missouri Banker’s Association Next Gen in Banking board and was a recipient of the MBA’s Next Gen Award in 2023.
Beyond the professional sphere, Rachael is deeply committed to her community, where she serves on the Children’s Mercy Cancer Center Auxiliary and fosters a love for reading as a volunteer with Lead to Read Kansas City. Rachael is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict with a bachelor's degree in business management.
Learn more about each member of ABA’s Class of 2024.