Meet Sam
Dr. Sam Sivarajan
Life is all about making decisions.
My work is focused on how we can make better decisions so that we can get to better results – in investing, in leadership, and in our personal lives.
- Keynote Speaker
- Bestselling Author
- Wealth Management Consultant
- Behavioral Scientist
- Fintech Advisor
- Podcast Host
- Adventurer
%
years of experience
wealth management businesses built and led for large global firms
%
client investment assets
%
completed M&A transactions and strategic advisory mandates
%
professionals hired and managed
%
advisors worked with
%
clients served
Sam is an accomplished financial services leader with a track record of adapting to market shifts and diverse industries to consistently deliver results.
Having led three wealth management businesses overseeing $80 billion in assets and advising on $40 billion in M&A transactions, Sam has a deep understanding of complex financial landscapes.
Outside the office, Sam is an avid mountaineer, having climbed peaks in the Alps, Himalayas, and Andes. He finds that the challenges of mountain climbing offer valuable lessons in perseverance, risk management, and strategy—principles that also drive his professional approach. Sam is also a dedicated cyclist, having completed an epic 8-day ride from London to Monaco. As a runner, he set a personal best in the Boston Marathon. He also obtained his certifications as a personal trainer and kettlebell trainer.
With a doctorate in behavioral science, Sam has a unique ability to make financial strategy relatable and engaging. He blends practical insights with a touch of humor and real-world examples, making even the most complex decisions clear and manageable. If you’re seeking a financial leader who combines experience, expertise and a track record of results, with a broader perspective, Sam is the expert you can trust.
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.