Melissa Kozakiewicz

Melissa Kozakiewicz is an American former public administrator who served as Assistant City Manager of Kansas City, Missouri from 2021 to 2025. She previously worked with Brian Platt in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Career

Kozakiewicz joined Kansas City, Missouri shortly after Platt became City Manager in December 2020. Multiple news outlets noted that she had previously worked with Platt in Jersey City and transitioned to Kansas City's leadership team soon after his appointment. In her role, she oversaw the city's communications operations and was involved in centralizing communications across city departments. She also helped implement public initiatives such as the city's composting program. During her tenure, administrative changes and restructuring of city communications operations were reported.

Legal issues and media coverage

Kozakiewicz was frequently mentioned in media coverage related to the 2022 whistleblower lawsuit filed by former Communications Director Chris Hernandez. The lawsuit alleged that City Manager Platt encouraged staff to misrepresent information to the media. Hernandez testified that Kozakiewicz carried out the city's communications policies.
After Platt was fired in March 2025, Kozakiewicz left her position as Assistant City Manager in June 2025. Local media reported that her departure was connected to the broader restructuring of city management following Platt's termination.