Sometimes in the professional world, it can be difficult to carve out a moment for yourself—a moment to breathe and slow it all down. But for Sunaina Sinha Haldea, global head of private capital advisory at Raymond James, stillness has become an essential part of her success. After founding Cebile Capital in 2011 and growing it into a global advisory firm acquired by Raymond James a decade later, Haldea knows a thing or two about navigating pressure. Alongside the demands of leadership and raising three children, she has maintained a daily Vipassana meditation practice that has changed the way she approaches ambition, decision-making and life outside of the office. Here, she shares what she’s learned about staying grounded in a career that rarely slows down, and why a few minutes of mindfulness can go a long way.
PURIST: Has tending to your inner well-being always come naturally to you?
SUNAINA SINHA HALDEA: Focusing on inner well-being has taken prioritization, time and dedication to daily practice. I grew up in a home where spirituality was important, and my father took me to my first meditation course when I was 12. I did not reconnect with meditation until much later as an adult, when the constant pressures of a career in finance and life in the fast lane led me back to it. I’ve come to see mental well-being as something we must consciously cultivate, much like physical fitness. It doesn’t just happen naturally; it requires practice and discipline, but the rewards are immeasurable. It’s the only superpower any of us can hope to develop: the ability to master our own minds.
How has your relationship with stress and ambition evolved, and what role has mindfulness played?
My ambition hasn’t diminished, but my relationship with it has fundamentally changed. Building a business, selling it and subsequently leading a global team have taught me that pressure is inevitable, but being consumed by it is not. Meditation has given me the ability to separate external outcomes from my internal state, recover more quickly from setbacks and play the long game. I can care deeply about succeeding without allowing the outcome of a deal, a decision or a difficult day to determine my peace of mind.
What first drew you to Vipassana, and how has it shaped your life?
I discovered Vipassana meditation in 2011, just as I was starting Cebile Capital. The timing was serendipitous. Entrepreneurship, particularly as a young woman in finance, is not for the fainthearted. Vipassana taught me to observe my thoughts and emotions rather than be controlled by them. What began as a few minutes of meditation has grown into an hourlong daily practice, often longer, and an annual Vipassana meditation course. It has become my greatest source of resilience, helping me navigate everything from difficult negotiations to the joys and challenges of raising three children.
Has creating space for stillness strengthened your leadership and performance under pressure?
Absolutely. In finance, we often mistake constant activity for productivity. Yet the quality of our decisions matters far more than the speed at which we make them. Meditation creates that vital space between stimulus and response, allowing me to act deliberately rather than react emotionally. It has also taught me that kindness and assertiveness are not mutually exclusive. I can make difficult decisions while remaining deeply empathetic. Stillness hasn’t made me less driven; it has made me a more effective leader.
Why incorporate gratitude into weekly team meetings, and what impact has it had?
Every Monday, our global team meeting begins with a few minutes of gratitude, when colleagues recognize others who have helped, supported or inspired them. In a demanding industry, we’re exceptionally good at focusing on what went wrong. I wanted us to be equally intentional about acknowledging what went right. It’s a small practice with a meaningful cultural impact. People feel seen, appreciated and more comfortable showing vulnerability. It builds stronger relationships and reinforces something I believe deeply: High performance and genuine humanity should go hand in hand.
What do you gain from your annual meditation retreat?
Each year, I spend eight to 10 days in silent meditation, disconnected from technology, work and the constant stimulation of everyday life. What you quickly discover is that the noisiest place in the world is actually your own mind! The retreat allows me to go inward, confront patterns and emotions that might otherwise remain buried, and gradually release that baggage. I return with greater clarity, equanimity and perspective. It’s not an escape from my responsibilities; it’s an investment in my ability to meet them with a stronger, calmer mind.
How has mindfulness shaped your relationships, fulfillment and definition of success?
Meditation has taught me that fulfillment cannot depend entirely on external achievements. No amount of money, professional recognition or success can create lasting inner peace. That has fundamentally changed how I approach relationships, parenting and leadership. I’m more conscious of being truly present, of showing up for people with compassion and of appreciating the chapter of life I’m in. I’ve always believed you can have it all, just not all at once. Success, to me, is building a meaningful life while finding joy in the journey, rather than constantly chasing the next milestone.
What would you encourage ambitious professionals to do to prioritize well-being?
Start small, but start today. Five or 10 minutes of meditation every day is far more powerful than an occasional hour. When people tell me they don’t have time, I often suggest they look at their daily screen-time report. There’s usually your first 10 minutes! Think of mindfulness as preventive mental fitness. We exercise our bodies to build strength before we need it; why wouldn’t we do the same for our minds? Consistency matters far more than perfection. The investment compounds over time, and the returns are extraordinary.
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