Mei was born in Chicago, Illinois. She received a bachelor's degree in business administration with majors in marketing and international business from Drexel University.
Mayor Lily Mei's journey in public service began with her election to the Fremont School board in 2008. Her ability to foster collaboration and build consensus earned her the trust and admiration of her colleagues and constituents alike.
In 2016, Mayor Mei's outstanding leadership and unwavering passion for improving her community won her the mayorship on platform focused on economic development, affordable housing, public safety, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. Her message resonated with the residents of Fremont, and she emerged victorious, becoming the city's first female and first minority/Asian-American Mayor.