Fmr Freemont Mayor Lily Mei on Resilience, Refugees, and Running a Happy City

In a powerful farewell conversation on The Good Government Show with Dave Martin, outgoing Fremont, California Mayor Lily Mei shared insights from her eight transformative years in office. The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Mei made history as the city’s first woman and first minority mayor. But for her, titles were never the point. “I ran to do something, not to be something,” she said. “Leadership isn’t about the nameplate—it’s about the work.”

Mayor Mei’s interview is packed with examples of good government in action, from steering $17 million in rental assistance to vulnerable families during the pandemic, to overseeing the development of a vibrant downtown event center that now hosts over 800 gatherings a year. A fierce advocate for inclusion, she also launched the Asian American Pacific Islander Mayors Alliance and spearheaded local support for Afghan refugees—raising nearly half a million dollars in direct aid.

She also spoke candidly about the toll of public service in the digital age. “It’s the cowardice of the keyboard,” she said of online misinformation and anonymous attacks. Still, she remains undeterred: “If you don’t speak up for yourself, no one else will. Telling your story matters.”

From founding STEM outreach programs to literally building housing with Habitat for Humanity and the 49ers, Lily Mei has embodied what it means to lead by example. Her parting wisdom? “You don’t need to be elected to make a difference. Just love your community—and show up.” Hear her full story on The Good Government Show at GoodGovernmentShow.com.