Kailyn Kenney directs policy strategy for Mayor Matt Mahan, overseeing the development and execution of strategic priorities and advancing key partnerships. She is a public policy leader known for translating complex challenges into clear strategy, building systems that support learning and continuous improvement, and driving cross-departmental efforts to deliver meaningful results.

Prior to joining the Mayor’s Office, Kailyn served in the City Manager’s Office, where she led the Community and Economic Development policy portfolio. She operationalized strategic initiatives across departments, advised executive leadership on complex issues, and led the development of a performance management framework aligned with the City’s focus areas. She also secured $3.5 million in funding for City priorities through her work in intergovernmental relations.

While working for the City of Milwaukee, she served as Chief of Staff to the City Council President and Policy Director to Mayor Cavalier Johnson. In these roles, she led policy development and directed the allocation of $174 million in federal funding.

Kailyn holds a master’s degree in political science from Marquette University and completed the public policy executive education program at University of California, Berkeley.