Innamorato taps new medical examiner, development director for Allegheny County

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato filled two top positions in her administration Wednesday just as her tenure eclipsed 100 days.

Dr. Ariel Goldschmidt is the new medical examiner.

Lauren Connelly was named the director of Allegheny County Economic Development. She will start next month.

Goldschmidt, 45, of Squirrel Hill, takes over following the departure of Dr. Karl Williams, who retired in February after 17 years in the position.

Innamorato said in a statement that Goldschmidt “brings deep technical expertise in the fields of pathology and forensics along with compassion for the critical role this office plays in providing answers and closure for families and the community.”

He has been acting director since Williams retired and previously served as deputy medical examiner.

Goldschmidt has worked as a forensic pathologist for 16 years and started his career in St. Louis, the county said. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the medical examiner’s office here in 2021. He has performed over 4,000 autopsies.

Connelly, 39, of Lawrenceville, will take over from Simone McMeans, the interim director.

Connelly currently serves as a vice president at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, a pro-business group.

She also worked as the assistant director of the county’s economic development department from 2016-2019, under Innamorato’s predecessor, Rich Fitzgerald, and previously led the nonprofit community development group Lawrenceville Corp.

Innamorato said Connelly brings a wealth of knowledge to the role and said her recent experience as part of her transition team will help.

“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,” Innamorato said.

Innamorato’s recent appointments move her closer to filling her cabinet, but a few key vacancies remain.

The administration is still looking to fill permanent roles for Allegheny County Jail warden, health director, and county manager, said spokeswoman Abigail Gardner.

Those positions are currently filled by acting department heads, including some Fitzgerald holdovers. County Manager Jennifer Liptak also served under Fitzgerald, and was approved by county council earlier this year. The administration is still accepting applications for the county mananger position, said Gardner.