Lauren Connelly has served as Allegheny County’s director of economic development since 2024 and, over the years, has served in many other community development roles throughout the county. Connelly leads the county’s Department of Economic Development at a pivotal time as it works to develop the first countywide comprehensive plan in almost 20 years. Additionally, Connelly is helping to lead a countywide housing needs assessment and several new initiatives, such as Main Streets Allegheny and a targeted site and sector fund. Connelly has previously worked with organizations like the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and the Lawrenceville Corp. Her role as director of economic development marked a return to the department, as she had previously served as assistant director from 2016 to 2019.
What inspired you to go into community and economic development?
It was certainly inspired by my grandmother, who, after raising her children, got involved in her community as a volunteer, and that ended up leading to her being the founder of community development organizations, both in her own community of Garfield but then citywide things like the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group and others. As a child, I spent a lot of time with her. She was one of the only women in my life working outside of the home, and I didn’t quite know what her position or field was at a young age, but I knew she was helping people. She was helping people buy homes. She was helping businesses open, and so I followed in her footsteps.
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