County Executive Names Lauren Connelly as Director of Allegheny County Economic Development
County Executive Names Lauren Connelly Director, Economic Development
April 10, 2024 - Pittsburgh - Today County Executive Sara Innamorato named Lauren Connelly as the Director of Allegheny County Economic Development. Mrs. Connelly currently serves as the Vice President of Local Government Affairs and Advocacy for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Mrs. Connelly leads local policy efforts throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region and leads the Conference’s Downtown revitalization efforts. Mrs. Connelly also previously served from 2016 to 2019 in Allegheny County Economic Development as an Assistant Director. She also served as a co-chair for the County Executive’s All In Allegheny Transition Committee.
County Executive Innamorato said: “We are delighted that Lauren Connelly has agreed to return to Allegheny County Economic Development as the department’s new director. Lauren brings a wealth of knowledge about community and economic development and has the breadth of experience we want to lead this department forward. Economic development from business development to main street revitalization is a cornerstone of our administration’s work and we are thrilled Mrs. Connelly has agreed to serve in this critical role.”
“I'm excited to return to Allegheny County Economic Development as the Director and work alongside the dedicated team to drive inclusive economic growth and ensure vibrant communities across Allegheny County,” said Lauren Connelly. “Through my engagement with the All in Allegheny initiative, I witnessed firsthand the passion and commitment of the County Executive, county departments, businesses and community members. The work done by all who participated in this process provided a solid foundation for the future. Together, we can move a shared vision to action to create thriving, more inclusive local economies and opportunities for all. I’m grateful to the County Executive and her administration for this opportunity and am thankful for my time at the Allegheny Conference. I look forward to continuing to work alongside their leadership to enhance our region’s economy and improve the quality of life for all.”
Prior to joining the Conference, Mrs. Connelly managed community development efforts in both local community-based organizations and local government. Mrs. Connelly spent more than a decade leading community development in the Lawrenceville community of Pittsburgh. She has served as the Executive Director of both the Lawrenceville Corporation, a community-development corporation serving as a catalyst and conduit for sustainable and responsible growth and reinvestment in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and Lawrenceville United, a residents’ advocacy organization focused on improving and protecting the quality of life for all residents of Lawrenceville.
As an Assistant Director in Allegheny County Economic Development, Mrs. Connelly managed community development loan and grant programs, main street revitalization programs, real estate development projects, and business development programs and projects throughout the county. Mrs. Connelly started her career within the City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Neighborhood Initiatives leading community development initiatives focused on community engagement, vacant land reclamation and reuse, and main street revitalization. Mrs. Connelly is a graduate of Allegheny College and lives in Lawrenceville with her family.
Simone McMeans will continue to serve in the Acting Director role until Mrs. Connelly assumes the role next month.
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