Deb Lienhardt-Dwyer currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Business Development & Legal Officer at RWJBarnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest academic healthcare system. Since joining the executive team in 2019, her leadership has been instrumental in driving the organization’s strategic growth and innovation initiatives.
Prior to her role at RWJBarnabas Health, Deb spent over 15 years as a Partner at Brach Eichler in the firm’s Health Law and Corporate Transactions Division. There, she developed a strong reputation in healthcare law, representing hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and physician practices across the region.
She earned her Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School in 1993 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Rutgers University, where she was an Eagleton Scholar.
A respected leader and advocate for women in leadership, Deb has been a dedicated mentor to future generations of female professionals throughout her career. NJBIZ recognized Deb as one of New Jersey’s 50 most influential women in business in 2023, and then named her its Empowering Women honoree in 2024. Additionally, ROI-NJ recognized Deb on its list of Top Health Care Leaders in 2024 and Top Women in Business in 2025.
Together, Deb and Jim have five children, including two daughters who are both scholar-athletes at the University of Chicago.
