Emma Slade
Emma Slade | |
|---|---|
| Born | Emma Slade July 16, 1966 Whitstable, Kent, England |
| Occupation(s) | Yoga instructor, meditation teacher, author, Buddhist nun |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | First Western woman ordained as a Buddhist nun in Bhutan |
| Notable work | Set Free: A Life-Changing Journey from Banking to Buddhism in Bhutan |
Emma Slade, who also goes by the name Ani Pema Deki (born 16 July 1966), is a British instructor specializing in yoga and meditation, an author, and a founder of a charitable organization. She is notably recognized as the first Western woman to be ordained as a Buddhist nun in Bhutan.[1][2] During her pursuit of the CFA credential, Slade experienced a traumatic armed robbery while on a business trip in Jakarta.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name This incident became a catalyst for her commitment to compassion and her exploration of Buddhism. Her memoir, Set Free: A Life-Changing Journey from Banking to Buddhism in Bhutan, was released in 2017.[2]
Early life and education
Emma Slade was born on 16 July 1966 in Whitstable, Kent, as the eldest child among three siblings to parents David and Zinnia Slade (née Devan). Her early education included Joy Lane Primary School, followed by attendance at Barton Court Grammar School and Sevenoaks School, where she excelled academically. These achievements secured her admission to Cambridge University, enrolling at Selwyn College initially for English studies. Beginning in 1985, she later transitioned to history but left before completing her final year to visit family in Summit, New Jersey, USA. Upon returning to Cambridge, she took up employment at an Iceland store and subsequently pursued an Art foundation course at the Cambridge College of Arts and Technology.[3] In 1993, she graduated with first class honours in Fine Art from Goldsmiths, University of London. Following her father’s diagnosis with lung cancer and his death when she was 26 years old, Slade redirected her career path from art toward investment banking to secure financial autonomy.[3]
Career and robbery
Before embarking on her banking career, Slade briefly worked at a retirement facility in Whitstable, Kent. She then joined the Global Banking Graduate Programme at HSBC. Between 1995 and 1997, she completed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) examinations with top scores. In 1996, she was based in Hong Kong working in marketing while finalizing her CFA certification.
In September 1997, during a business trip to Jakarta, Slade was confronted at gunpoint inside her hotel room. Despite the severity of this ordeal, she responded with compassion towards her assailant. Afterward, she resumed work in Hong Kong under protective measures but was soon diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Experiencing recurring flashbacks led her to return to England for intensive therapeutic treatment. Although she continued employment with HSBC’s London office, dissatisfaction prompted her departure from the bank in 1998. Later, from 2005 until 2008, she served as a hedge fund analyst.
Buddhism
In 1998, supported by her mother’s funding, Slade traveled to Skyros where she began practicing yoga. Her training expanded under prominent teachers worldwide, culminating in certification as a British Wheel of Yoga instructor by 2001. She established Whitstable Yoga studio and developed a growing interest in Buddhist teachings after participating in retreats at Scotland’s Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery, formally embracing Buddhism in 2003.
A visit to Bhutan in 2011 introduced Slade to Lama Nima Tshering and led to her appointment as a yoga teacher at the Zhiwa Ling Hotel. This connection deepened her study of Tibetan Buddhism and prompted her adoption of monastic attire. In 2012, she received the name Ani Pema Deki ("Nun Lotus Blissful"). Despite initial hesitation due to family responsibilities, she returned with her son to Bhutan in 2014 and became the first Western woman ordained as a Bhikkhunī there—a distinction that remained unique through 2018.
In 2015, Slade founded Opening Your Heart to Bhutan, a UK-based charity dedicated to enhancing healthcare, education, disability support, and infrastructure for children living in Bhutan’s rural areas. Earnings from her autobiography contribute directly to this initiative. Her efforts have been acknowledged by Bhutanese royal figures and included an audience with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a reception held in 2016.
As an international speaker, Slade has delivered presentations at venues such as Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents' Club and various TEDx forums. She appeared in the Dalai Lama Centre’s documentary Happiness and was honored with the British Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award in 2017 for her humanitarian contributions. In 2018, she was shortlisted for the Asian Voice Charity Award under the category "Most Inspiring Individual in Charity."
Personal life
Slade was involved in a long-standing relationship with an English sculptor until 2005, when she discovered she was unable to conceive. Afterward, she moved back to London to pursue her career in banking and entered into a short-term relationship with another CFA charterholder, which led to the birth of their son, Oscar, in September 2006. By 2018, Slade had settled in Whitstable, where she dedicates her time to teaching yoga and meditation alongside overseeing her charitable organization. She also makes frequent trips to Bhutan.