#PGProfiles: Glowing Up with Anthony Bersine-Williams

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I’ve worked for PG for 7 ½ years, and I’ve stayed with PG because I believe in our mission and the values we strive to uphold. My career path is one that’s been shaped by trust, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to growth, both personally and professionally.

I began my journey at Nike, where I always imagined myself eventually landing a leadership role at their headquarters. However, life has a way of presenting new possibilities when we least expect it. I decided to put my family first and start on a new career path at Populus Group after an old subordinate of mine recommended the company.

At first, I applied for a payroll manager position, but I wasn’t selected for the role. Instead, I was offered the Employee Relationship Specialist position. I could’ve been discouraged, but after my second interview with our VP of Delivery, Lori Blakey, I knew I wanted to work here. Her passion for how much PG cared for its climbers (our word for employees), along with the principles the company stood by won me over.

Going from a senior-level manager to an entry-level position wasn’t an easy decision, yet looking back, it was one of the best decisions I could’ve made. I stepped into an industry I knew nothing about, and would later figure out, a culture I had to fully embrace. Had I let my pride get in the way, I would have missed out on one of the most transformative experiences of my career. I’m glad I was smart enough to realize I wasn’t ready to lead at PG—I needed time to grow and learn.

The second time I applied for a management position, I wasn’t selected again, but I took it as a learning opportunity. Rather than give up, I chose to trust my leadership’s feedback and set out to improve. I honed my skills, gained a deeper understanding of the company, and embraced the importance of aligning our common goals. By the third time the Payroll Manager position opened, I no longer had any doubt that I was ready to lead. Through persistence, self-reflection, and intentional growth, I was finally prepared—not just to manage, but to lead.

It took nearly three years in the Employee Relationship Specialist role for me to understand that success isn’t just about being good at your job; it’s about believing in a shared purpose. It’s about locking arms with your team, helping each other grow, and becoming better as a whole. Once I became a payroll leader, I led with this philosophy, and the results spoke for themselves. My team thrived because we were united by our shared mission and we trusted each other. And my team experienced successes of their own, which was always the biggest reward of my job.

When the Regional Payroll Service Manager position opened, I knew I wanted to take my impact even further. My goal is to continue sharing my gifts with leaders and our broader community, contributing to PG’s ongoing success.

Looking back on my journey, I’m grateful for the challenges, the rejections, and the moments of self-doubt. They’ve all shaped me into the leader I am today—one who is committed to trusting the process, persevering through adversity, and always striving to make a positive impact.

If you could share one piece of advice with other remote managers, what would it be?

1. Build trust from day one.
2. Don’t be a micromanager! Give clear expectations of what you want or need and then let them be a part of the solution of getting it done. They learn to work through problems while feeling like a contributor, rather than just a doer.
3. Don’t be afraid to share the hard lessons you've learned on your journey so your team knows they can turn to you when they face a challenge. Vulnerability is not a weakness.
4. If you’ve built trust, having tough conversations isn’t so difficult, as they’ll know you want them to meet their full potential.
5. Celebrate the little things as much as the big things. This will help you promote the things you want to see more often from your team.
6. Be a real person. Recognize the hard stuff, just don’t let the team live in it. Teach them to create their calm.

How do you like to unwind after a busy day and how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

I’m trying to be better about going to the gym and because I am not a morning person, it happens after work. Once I’m back though, I enjoy watching movies and hanging out with Kai, my familiar meeting-crasher cat.

If you were to host a podcast, what would it be about and why?

It would be about an older-generation EDM enthusiast who wants to share his passion for music and the community. I frequent a lot of EDM concerts and festivals domestically, but plan on going to more international shows in the future. This also helps me keep a good work-life balance.

What does an inclusive work environment look like to you and in what ways does PG embody that?

An inclusive environment makes sure everyone is recognized and their voice heard in the community. PG has created a culture where climbers should feel safe to share their thoughts and experiences through the many platforms we have available, such as our ERGs and Work Friend groups, let alone in our day-to-day business. We’re then a stronger community and a more competitive company that can navigate social situations more fluidly.

What advice would you give to those just starting out their career journey?

Be a sponge. Don’t be bashful in asking lots of questions. The more you know, the more you can critically think when solving problems. Don’t only learn your role but know enough about your partners too. That way you know how the process flows up or downstream, and where speedbumps might occur. Your partner will appreciate you not creating additional work for them.

Share a bit about yourself! (pets, hobbies, family, fun facts, etc.)

Why two last names? Bersine is my mom’s maiden name. I kept it to honor my lineage and then adopted my dad’s last name well after they divorced. I was officially adopted when I was 33 after years of us already recognizing a love bond was just as strong, if not stronger than a blood bond because it was a choice. He had already been in my life since I was 2-year-old.

I have an amazing 19-year-old son. He’s made my job as dad the easiest it could be. He continues to make more and more proud every day.

I’m the oldest sibling to 4 half or step-siblings, with age gaps of 8, 10, 16, and 17.

That's a rap! Leave a comment below to shout out Anthony and thank him for sharing!