Meet Sam
Dr. Sam Sivarajan
Great decisions shape great outcomes—in business, leadership, and life.
My work centers on helping people make smarter, more confident decisions—whether they’re leading teams, managing wealth, or navigating uncertainty.
Who I Am:
- Keynote Speaker
- Bestselling Author
- Behavioral Scientist
- Fintech Advisor
- Podcast Host
- Adventurer
By the Numbers
Real-World Impact
%
years of global leadership in finance, strategy, and transformation
high-performing businesses built and led for multinational firms
%
in assets managed across complex investment platforms
%
in global M&A transactions and strategic initiatives advised
%
leaders and high-potential professionals hired and developed
%
cross-functional teams and collaborators engaged
%
of clients, stakeholders, and decision-makers impacted
Sam Sivarajan is a behavioral scientist, bestselling author, and business strategist who helps organizations lead through complexity and make smarter decisions under pressure.
With over 25 years of global leadership experience, Sam has built three wealth businesses managing $80B in client assets and advised on $40B in M&A transactions. He brings sharp insight into high-stakes decision-making—across finance, fintech, and strategy.
Outside the boardroom, Sam is an adventurer at heart. He has climbed peaks across the Alps, Himalayas, and Andes; cycled 1,500 km from London to Monaco; and set a personal best in the Boston Marathon. These challenges have sharpened the same principles that guide his work: resilience, clarity, and disciplined execution.
Armed with a doctorate in behavioral science and deep operational experience, Sam blends smart strategy with real-world insight. His approach is grounded, practical, and human—making even complex topics clear, engaging, and actionable.
Sam In The News
Featured articles written by Sam, stories about his work, and exclusive interviews, including captivating video content.
Proust Questionnaire
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Enjoying a good meal, some wine, and a few laughs with friends and family.
What is your greatest fear?
Living someone else’s life.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Impatience.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
A sense of entitlement.
Which living person do you most admire?
Angela Merkel.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Used to be ties – thanks to Covid, no longer an issue.
What is your current state of mind?
Contemplative.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
A neat desk or work area.
On what occasion do you lie?
When a loved one asks me what I thought of something they made that I didn’t like.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Nothing – stoicism teaches me to accept what I cannot control.
Which living person do you most despise?
Anonymous social media trolls attacking others not in their tribe.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Character – doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Character – doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Like. Look.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife and daughter.
When and where were you happiest?
Coming home from work to have my young daughter run into my arms, excited to see me.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Sing on-key.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Better able to stay in the moment.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Convincing my wife to marry me.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
An eagle or falcon.
Where would you most like to live?
I am fortunate enough to be able to split my time between Toronto and Vienna.
What is your most treasured possession?
Physical and mental health.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Self-pity.
What is your favorite occupation?
Reading, writing, talking (not necessarily in that order).
What is your most marked characteristic?
Goal-setting, planning, and execution.
What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty. Fun. Shared Values.
Who are your favorite writers?
Will Storr, Malcolm Gladwell, Erich Fromm, Alexandre Dumas, Margaret Atwood.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Edmond Dantes – The Count of Monte Cristo.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Hector of Troy.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Terry Fox, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa.
What are your favorite names?
Isabella, Matthias.
What is it that you most dislike?
Wasted talent.
What is your greatest regret?
No regrets – I am blessed with what I have and what is in my control.
How would you like to die?
Of old age, having made a difference, with friends and family sadder for my passing, but happy for the life I have lived.
What is your motto?
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” Thank you, Ernest Hemingway.