Macken Companies is pleased to announce Director Jodi Macken was named an honoree at the 2024 South Florida Business & Wealth Magazine Prestigous Women Awards. The ceremony brought together approximately 700 attendees at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, FL. The annual awards program recognizes South Florida’s most influential, inspiring and successful female leaders, whose innovations and success help drive the South Florida economy and community.
Celebrating a remarkable 35-year legacy in business, Jodi Macken serves as Director of Macken Companies, a multifaceted enterprise encompassing real estate investment, development, construction, financing, and brokerage entities. Under Jodi’s leadership, Macken Companies has become a trailblazer in responsible development, catalyzing the rejuvenation of neighborhoods across South Florida with award-winning projects.
At the helm of this family-founded firm, Jodi, alongside her mother Lillian Macken, brother Alan, and partner Andy Verzura, personifies unwavering commitment to community enhancement. Infused with passion and a mission to preserve values, Macken Companies immerses itself in each project, meets with neighbors and collaborates closely with municipalities to foster responsible development.
Jodi’s pivotal role extends to new construction sales and marketing, shaping the success of Macken Companies’ residential and commercial projects. Noteworthy accomplishments include the development and sellout of Parallel 1 and Parallel 2 Townhome communities in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, along with the Beach House single-family home development in Dolphin Isles. These projects not only received acclaim at the City of Fort Lauderdale Community Appearance Awards but also set unprecedented benchmarks in their respective neighborhoods.
As Director of Macken Realty, Jodi oversees and helps train a network of over 300 agents across 5 Florida offices. Among her 300 high-profile celebrity clients are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Roman Reigns, Henry Cavill, Cash Money Records, and NFL players Brandon Marshall and Mark Ingram, underscoring her unparalleled commitment to delivering exceptional service.
On a personal level, each year Jodi demonstrates her commitment to philanthropy through her pro bono work, donating her commission to support those in need. In a heartwarming display of kindness and solidarity, Jodi worked closely with her long-time client and friend, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, to provide a lifeline to UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo. Facing significant financial hardships with just $7 to his name upon arriving from Zimbabwe, Themba’s remarkable journey culminated in a triumphant UFC victory in May. Without hesitation, The Rock and Jodi facilitated the donation of a rental home for a year, offering Themba stability and support as he navigates his inspiring path. Furthermore, Jodi’s contribution to his cause empowered Themba to pursue his dreams by alleviating financial burdens associated with his training expenses. Last year, she also sold a home for a veteran without charging any commission, ensuring that those who have served our country receive the honor and respect they deserve.
Jodi’s influence extends beyond the real estate realm as she actively shapes city landscapes. With a strong understanding of the City’s challenges, Macken Companies encouraged the City of North Miami Beach to adopt a new master plan that has created new jobs and now offers the opportunity for a more diverse real estate landscape. She is part of a team spearheading transformative projects like Aura, a 534,000-square-foot mixed-use development, and Koya Bay, a waterfront townhome community in North Miami Beach, both poised to revitalize the downtown area and the Eastern Shores neighborhood.
Embedded in Macken Companies’ ethos is the dedication to corporate social responsibility, exemplified through Macken Cares. This initiative has helped rebuild homes for veterans and seniors through Rebuilding Together, support foster families through 4Kids, and assist foundations and communities in need such as the Ancient Spanish Monastery and the City’s Heart Health Walks.
In times of crisis, Macken Companies played a crucial role in relief efforts. When the pandemic first began, Macken Companies responded. Jodi and her team created a food drive out of one of the firm’s retail centers and held food drives on its property every month. Through collective efforts with JCS, FarmShare, Joshua’s Heart Foundation, the City of NMB and its police department, Jodi and her team helped feed more than 6,000 families during this difficult time. This program was extended to help those impacted by the tragedy in Surfside and those displaced from Crestview Towers.
Macken Companies also stands as a beacon for mentorship and education, with initiatives like its Grand Career Booster. Jodi’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders is evident, as she imparts knowledge, strategies, and skills to empower professionals in the competitive business world.
Furthermore, Jodi advocates for women in leadership. The firm’s commitment to gender diversity is evident across all divisions, with women holding leadership positions throughout its development, construction and brokerage divisions, affirming her dedication to fostering a workplace where women thrive.
Jodi manages these responsibilities adeptly while simultaneously serving as a respected leader in South Florida’s real estate sector, juggling various roles in development and brokerage. However, Jodi emphasizes that her most important role is that of a dedicated mother to two young women who are both currently enrolled in Real Estate school while focusing on their college degrees.
Jodi Macken’s exceptional leadership, commitment to responsible development, dedication to community service, and advocacy for mentorship and women in leadership make her an exemplary honoree for the Prestigious Women Awards. Her impact extends far beyond the real estate industry, enriching communities and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
