Innamorato Names Alex Jutca Director of Department of Human Services
Published on September 10, 2026
PITTSBURGH – County Executive Sara Innamorato today announced that Alex Jutca will be the next Director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS). Mr. Jutca has served as Interim Director of DHS since Erin Dalton departed to serve as New York City’s Commissioner of the Department of Social Services. The county conducted a rigorous national search to replace Ms. Dalton after her departure in March, engaging a national public policy consulting firm and conducting several rounds of interviews that included a community panel of local human services leaders.
County Executive Innamorato said: “Allegheny County DHS is known for innovation and using data to drive services for our people, and Alex Jutca is an excellent leader to help guide this agency into the future. With a commitment to analytical rigor, a heart for helping people, and the experience at DHS that will provide a steady hand during challenging headwinds, we are thrilled that Alex will be the next DHS Director.”
DHS Director Alex Jutca said: “I am grateful to the County Executive for this opportunity. Allegheny County is a special place, and DHS’s strong heritage demonstrates that government can make real progress on social problems — even those some consider intractable. I look forward to building on that progress by working with our team and partners to focus intensely on how we can measurably improve outcomes for people who, in many cases, are seeking help during the most challenging moments of their lives. I take that responsibility seriously, and our team is ready for the work ahead.”
With an annual budget exceeding $1 billion, DHS serves more than 200,000 residents annually across child welfare, family strengthening and youth programs, behavioral health, homelessness, intellectual disability services, and aging programs.
Mr. Jutca joined DHS in 2021 as Director of the Office of Analytics, Technology, and Planning, where he oversaw data and research, software development, strategic planning, and new program incubation. In that role, he led initiatives to modernize behavioral health and substance use treatment systems, improve core operational infrastructure, and expand access to public services, including the launch of a reduced-fare transit program.
He has been recognized as an Emergent Ventures and Policy Entrepreneurship Network Fellow; serves as an advisor to the Center for Addiction Science, Policy, and Research; and has contributed to national efforts to advance the use of data and experimentation in government.
Prior to DHS, Mr. Jutca worked as a senior economist and data science leader at Amazon, where he built teams and developed systems to improve operational performance. He began his career at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and in the nonprofit sector focused on scaling evidence-based social programs.
A native of southwestern Pennsylvania, Mr. Jutca holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Villanova University and a master’s in public policy from Harvard University. He lives in the Pittsburgh area with his wife and four children.
Media inquiries may be directed to Cydney Cooper, Public Information Officer for the Department of Human Services, at cydney.cooper@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-506-0288.