Debra Lienhardt, RWJBarnabas Health Executive Vice President, Chief Business Development and Legal Officer, Honored as a Leading Woman in Business by NJBIZ

Debra Lienhardt Recognized for Impact Across New Jersey

West Orange, New Jersey, August 25, 2026 - Debra Lienhardt, RWJBarnabas Health Executive Vice President, Chief Business Development and Legal Officer, has been honored as a recipient of the 2026 NJBIZ Leading Women in Business award, which recognizes women who have made a significant impact in New Jersey.The honorees were celebrated at a formal event on August 18 at The Palace at Somerset Park.

Since arriving at RWJBarnabas Health in 2019, Ms. Lienhardt has brought vision, momentum, and meaningful impact to the organization's Business Development and Legal functions.

She first expanded BD into a robust department, which has driven the system's successful ambulatory care strategy by pioneering a physician practice joint venture model that prioritizes physician autonomy. From 2024 to 2025, the system's JVs have realized a 20% increase in revenue overall, with a 36% increase in operating gain for medical practices.

Assuming the role of RWJBarnabas Health's first-ever Chief Legal Officer in 2025, Ms. Lienhardt has helped define and build a role that extends far beyond the traditional legal function. She serves as a strategic business leader, pairing legal expertise with innovative business solutions to advance the organization's mission and long-term objectives. Her role ensures that legal strategy is fully integrated with enterprise priorities, embedding legal insight into business decision-making and driving alignment across the system.

Ms. Lienhardt has also taken great strides towards realizing her vision of a dynamic, full-service legal department for the system with a deep bench of attorneys owning specific focus areas of expertise. She has grown her legal team by 16, which lessens its reliance on outside counsel, keeps costs down by optimizing her team's resources and retains the group's internal institutional knowledge of key areas of law.

With a focus on collaboration, as a leader Ms. Lienhardt instills core values of mentorship and gives team members the security to raise ideas, while providing the infrastructure to support them. She values creativity and empowers employees to practice at the top of their games. A true champion for women, Ms. Lienhardt has increased female representation within her departments to 75%.

About RWJBarnabas Health

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.

RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state's largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.

RWJBarnabas Health's commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey's largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org