Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González shared her personal journey, leadership approach and policy priorities in a recent interview with Montgomery Community Media. Recorded at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, it’s a place she describes as deeply meaningful to her life and family.
Fani-González said she has been visiting the gardens since she first arrived in the United States from Venezuela at age 16. What began as a recommendation as a place to visit to her mother from an employer quickly became a lasting tradition.
“This is a place where I can find peace,” Fani-Gonzalez said. “It connects so many people, not just from Montgomery County, but from across the region and even internationally.”
The location also holds emotional significance. Fani-Gonzalez recalled spending time there with her mother during her cancer treatments.
“She would ask me, ‘Can you just take me to Brookside?’” Fani-González said. “She would sit on the benches and relax. It’s a place that holds so many memories for me and my family.”
Her Career in Public Service
Fani-González reflected on her path to public service, which began after immigrating to the United States as a teenager. Initially, she pursued a career in medicine.
“My dream was to become a doctor,” she said. “But because of my immigration status, I got really involved in the policy world and the policymaking world really captivated me.”
She described the transition as a natural evolution. “This is my calling,” Fani-Gonzalez said. “At the end of the day, being a doctor is about helping people. I ended up helping people in a completely different way.”
Now serving as Council President, Natali Fani-González said she feels a strong sense of responsibility, especially during a time marked by federal challenges and economic uncertainty.
“I feel incredibly proud that my colleagues selected me,” she said. “This year is a huge responsibility.”
Photo Courtesy: Natali Fani-González
Her Agenda as Council President
One of her first major actions as Council President was introducing the Trust Act, a law designed to strengthen protections for immigrant communities. The legislation limits local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and reinforces non-discrimination policies.
“As a policymaker, that meant passing laws that actually put into practice our values,” she said.
Fani-González emphasized collaboration as key to passing the legislation, noting she worked closely with colleagues, law enforcement, and community members to build consensus.
She also addressed growing concerns about affordability across the county due in part to rising utility costs and economic pressures affecting many residents.
In relation to the County’s Budget, Fani-González said she is cautious about proposals that include tax increases. “It takes a really high bar for me to support any type of increase,” she said.
At the same time, she acknowledged the difficult choices ahead. “If we’re not increasing taxes, that means we need to make cuts. The money has to come from somewhere.”
Fani-González encouraged residents to take part in public hearings and share their perspectives. “Your voice as a community does matter,” she said.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, she plans to focus on long-term priorities after the budget process concludes, including infrastructure planning and the growth of data centers in the region.
“These are two big topics that I’m going to be spending a lot of time on,” she said.
Throughout the interview, Fani-González returned to the idea that public service is rooted in community a value reflected both in her work and in places like Brookside Gardens.
“I feel like we all have a responsibility in this world,” she said. “In my case, it’s about helping communities grow and making people’s lives better.”
