Building Careers That Matter: The Role of Mentors, Maps, and Grit with Anthony Wallace

This episode of the Pathfinders Podcast features Anthony Wallace, VP at Apellis Pharmaceuticals and former Vice President and General Manager of North America at Bausch + Lomb, who brings nearly three decades of experience across leading pharmaceutical and healthcare organizations, including Merck, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and Sandoz. Wallace shares a career journey shaped by resilience, lifelong learning, and an unwavering commitment to creating impact through leadership.

 

Originally aspiring to be a professional hockey player, Wallace shifted gears early in life, driven by a desire to build a better future after losing his father at a young age. With a degree in accounting from Penn State (WE ARE) and an MBA in marketing from Indiana Wesleyan, he began his career in auditing before making a pivotal move into healthcare. That transition, fueled by curiosity and the encouragement of mentors, led to a career where purpose and impact have taken center stage.

 

In this conversation, Wallace discusses the importance of creating a Career Map—one that evolves over time and aligns functional experiences with long-term goals. He highlights the role of a Personal Board of Advisors in providing honest feedback, identifying blind spots, and helping navigate major career decisions. Wallace also shares how mentorship has influenced his own development and why he is intentional about mentoring others, emphasizing that effective mentorship requires structure, mutual commitment, and clear expectations.

 

The episode also explores Wallace’s philosophy on work-life integration, including a personal story that reshaped how he balances professional responsibilities with being present for his family. His approach to leadership centers on developing businesses, building people, and making a measurable difference—whether inside the organization or across the healthcare industry.

 

For organizations looking to engage and retain top talent, Wallace emphasizes the strategic value of investing in employee development through mentorship and structured growth pathways. His message is clear: when employees see a future within the company, they are more likely to stay and thrive.

 

This episode offers actionable insights for HR leaders, executives, and professionals focused on long-term growth, leadership development, and building purpose-driven careers.