City Council President & 2nd Ward Council Member Melissa Godesky Rodriguez
Melissa Godesky-Rodriguez is a lifelong Bayonne resident, Second Ward Councilwoman, and the current President of the Bayonne City Council. Born and raised in Bayonne, she is proud to serve the community that helped shape her and remains committed to transparency, accountability, responsible growth, and improving the quality of life for all residents.
Professionally, Melissa has held Senior Director and Senior Manager roles throughout her career, bringing more than 20 years of experience in operations, customer experience, project management, workforce development, and team leadership. She has managed large teams, complex initiatives, and multimillion-dollar budgets while remaining focused on efficiency, collaboration, and people-first solutions.
Melissa’s journey in public service began with 11 years of involvement in her son’s school PTO. That experience strengthened her passion for supporting students and families and ultimately led her to serve five years on the Bayonne Board of Education. During her tenure, she advocated for educational transparency, children with diverse learning needs, and the resources necessary to help every student succeed.
Her commitment to service extends beyond elected office. Melissa previously volunteered as a track coach, currently sponsors local blood drives in partnership with the New York Blood Center, and serves as a board member of the Sotos Syndrome Support Association.
Melissa’s advocacy for individuals with disabilities and the special needs community is deeply personal. As the mother of her son, Dantae, she understands the importance of inclusion, access, compassion, and ensuring every family has a voice. She is grateful for the unwavering support of her husband, Louis, and considers her family the driving force behind her commitment to public service.
Melissa is honored to represent Bayonne’s Second Ward and serve as City Council President, working collaboratively to deliver meaningful results and help build a stronger, more inclusive future for Bayonne