SHN Foundation Board Member Celebrates Pride
Sushrhth Mehan came out during the pandemic — in his thirties, while still in a ten-year arranged marriage.
“For much of my life, I didn’t believe being out was even an option,” he shares. “My first Pride was just three years ago, and I still remember the feeling of walking down Yonge Street toward Sankofa Square. I cried — not out of sadness, but from the overwhelming sense of love and belonging.”
Now a board member with Scarborough Health Network (SHN) Foundation and a leader in real estate development, Sushrhth carries that experience into everything he does — as a queer South Asian professional, a community advocate, and someone who believes that authentic leadership begins with being seen.
“I identify as queer — which is just one part of who I am. But I spent years suppressing that part, and until I embraced my whole self, I couldn’t show up fully,” he says. “That journey taught me to lead with vulnerability, listen more deeply, and be intentional about creating space where others feel a sense of belonging and are seen.”
This year, Pride Toronto’s theme ALL IN resonates deeply for Sushrhth. “To me, being ‘ALL IN’ means showing up fully — with your strengths, your struggles, your lived experience — and leading from a place of honesty and integrity,” he says. “It’s about more than inclusion as a buzzword. It’s about authenticity, accountability, and advocating over advertising and never leaving anyone behind.”
In healthcare, he says, being ALL IN means recognizing and responding to the lived experiences of 2SLGBTQI+ communities — not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental part of care. “True inclusion in healthcare isn’t optional — it’s essential for high-quality care,” he says. “We have to ask ourselves: are we creating systems that allow people to live fully and safely, without having to hide who they are?”
The same principle applies to his work in real estate: “It’s not just about buildings — it’s about the kind of communities we’re creating. Are we designing spaces where people feel affirmed, respected, and at home?”
As someone who came out later in life, Sushrhth knows the power of visibility — especially in leadership. “When 2SLGBTQI+ professionals are open about who they are, it breaks through the silence. It reminds others that they don’t have to compartmentalize their identities to be successful.”
That’s why representation matters — not just at Pride, but in boardrooms, in clinics, and on construction sites. “Having our voices at the table brings humanity into the decision-making process,” he says. “It ensures that the systems we help build truly serve the communities we claim to represent.”
For Sushrhth, Pride is more than a celebration — it’s a responsibility. “It’s about honouring those who came before us and protecting the spaces that made it possible for someone like me to come out and to those who are still on their way. Pride is a reminder to keep showing up — not just in June, but all year long — for myself and for my community.”