Beyond the Board: Stephen DeFeo, Esq.

Stephen DeFeo, Esq., has spent the past 14 years helping guide VNA Health Group through times of growth, challenge, and change. A partner at Brown & Connery in Westmont, NJ, Stephen is a commercial litigator whose practice spans complex commercial disputes, product liability, employment matters, and more. Yet his work on VNA Health Group’s Board of Trustees, particularly as chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, has given him a different kind of challenge: ensuring that nurses, staff, and resources are in place to care for New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.

“I got involved because I saw an opportunity to make a difference,” Stephen recalled. “I’m not a healthcare professional, but I grew up in Toms River, and I know the community. I found this fascinating chance to do good and hopefully put my thumb on the scale to take care of sick and older people. There’s a huge need for that in our country.”

Stephen first connected with VNA Health Group in 2011 through friends and colleagues involved with the Foundation Board. Over the years, he has helped the organization navigate complex strategic initiatives, including updating and implementing a new multi-year strategic plan in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. That work has included addressing labor challenges in home healthcare, strengthening partnerships with nursing programs, and exploring federal initiatives to support the organization’s workforce.

“Without nurses, we can’t fulfill our mission,” he said. “We’ve worked to reinvigorate the pipeline, start recruitment earlier, and make sure people who want to do this work have the support they need. It’s a big machine—so many programs, so many moving parts—but the mission is what guides everything.”

Stephen’s dedication is rooted in personal experience. His father received hospice and home care at the end of his life, and his mother, now 93, continues to rely on VNA nurses for regular care. “Seeing the difference it makes when compassionate, qualified professionals come into your home—it’s immeasurable,” he reflected. “It’s better for the patient, the family, and the system as a whole.”

He also brings a philosophical perspective shaped early in life. “I worked at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Toms River in high school and college, which makes you think about mortality,” he said. “I’ve always been comfortable with the idea of thinking about what matters in life, and that perspective has helped me see the value of VNA’s work in a deeper way.”

Over his tenure, Stephen has admired the dedication of VNA Health Group’s leadership and staff. “Every day, whatever the problem is, they address it and move on,” he said. “It’s inspiring to watch people evolve, adapt, and keep the organization moving forward because they believe it matters to people—and it does.”

Stephen also expresses deep gratitude for the leaders who shaped his journey at VNA Health Group. “Tom Thees got me involved with the VNA, Steve Landers kept me engaged over the years, and Christopher Rinn really pushed me to take on more responsibility while guiding the Strategic Planning Committee. I owe them my thanks and admiration. They made a big difference.”

As he steps down from the board at the end of 2025, Stephen reflects on a career in service that extends beyond his legal work. “Term limits are important. They refresh the board and bring in new perspectives,” he said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’ll always be a supporter of the organization’s mission. It’s a great organization doing critical work for our communities.”