KEEPING IT LOCAL: Maria Gonzales for Richfield (MN) Mayor
Maria brings strong passion for community service and ability to bridge across difference in addition to diverse skills in the areas of policy, government, and public health to the position of Richfield’s Mayor. As a current Richfield City Council member, representing east Richfield (Ward 3), Maria is a strong leader for the inclusion of all residents to build a thriving, more prosperous and equitable City.
During her time on council, Maria has helped champion a variety of issues including bringing east Richfield residents together with developers, and staff to improve project plans to be more community-friendly and responsive our residents’ needs and concerns. She has helped lead a more proactive approach to increasing housing diversity and accessibility for renters and homeowners alike and has voted to increase funding for crucial City programs for residents such as Kids at Home and Richfield Rediscover. As the council liaison to the school district, Maria has helped strengthened the relationship, collaboration and communication between the district and the City. She is also currently working with residents to advance the city’s sustainability practices and protect Richfield’s children from easily accessing tobacco products.
In her role as a Senior Project Manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota she works to advance their Corporate Social Responsibility strategy bridging health interventions at the intersection of business and community needs and interests.
Over the years, she has collaborated with numerous individuals and organizations on work spanning local and international food systems to the various facets of community health and public policy. Maria is a proud bi-racial Chicana and calls the Midwest and Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico home. She holds a B.A. in Global Studies and Spanish Studies and is currently finishing her Master’s in Public Health, both from the University of Minnesota.
https://maria4mayor.com/
