Hi! I’m Shashi Coelho, based in the McKinsey Minneapolis office, and I’m joining colleagues from around the world on the 2026 “Mind Over Mountains” charity trek to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives globally.

On 26 September 2026, 100 McKinsey colleagues will begin trekking 100km across the breathtaking Peaks of the Balkans route through Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro. Over six days, we’ll carry our own equipment and trek through remote terrain with limited access to modern facilities — all in support of mental health-focused charities. The travel, trek, and carbon offset costs are fully self-funded, and each participant is committed to raising at least $1,000 for causes that are personally meaningful to them.

For this trek, I’ve chosen to support The Banyan, a pioneering nonprofit based in Chennai, India, that has spent decades transforming mental healthcare through inclusive, person-centered approaches. The Banyan works with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, trauma, poverty, and social exclusion — helping them rebuild their lives through access to healthcare, housing, livelihood opportunities, and community support.

Mental health challenges affect people across every geography, generation, and background, yet stigma and lack of access to care continue to prevent millions from receiving the support they need. Organizations like The Banyan are critical because they combine clinical care with compassion, dignity, and long-term rehabilitation for vulnerable populations who are too often overlooked.

This cause is deeply meaningful to me because mental wellbeing is foundational to how we live, connect, and thrive. If you’re able to support this fundraiser, I’d be deeply grateful. Every contribution — large or small — helps expand access to compassionate mental healthcare and community-based support for those who need it most.

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page and for being part of this journey.