The Shepherd of Senior Living: Leading with Christ’s Compassion
Jean Makesh
Visionary Healthcare & Real Estate Executive |
Innovator in Aging & Memory Care
A Visionary with a Calling
Jean Makesh is a visionary healthcare and real estate executive driven by a lifelong passion for transforming the experience of aging. With over 25 years of leadership across senior housing, healthcare, higher education, and philanthropy, he has raised more than $300 million to advance innovation, access, and compassionate care.
Founder of one of the nation’s first personality-centric rehabilitative care models, Jean integrates neuroscience, design, and empathy to redefine how memory care supports individuality and dignity. His pioneering approach—celebrated globally and viewed by millions online—helps individuals with dementia reconnect with identity and independence.
But behind the success story lies a deeper journey—a story of divine redirection, humility, and rediscovery of faith. Jean’s leadership is not merely about innovation—it’s about revelation. Through trials and triumphs, he learned that real prosperity flows not from success itself, but from surrender to God’s will.
When Purpose Finds You
Jean never planned to enter the senior care industry. As a young occupational therapist specializing in orthopedic medicine, he envisioned a future in sports rehabilitation. But when he couldn’t find a job in that field, he accepted work in a nursing home—an unexpected detour that became his divine assignment.
“I didn’t fall in love with the elderly—they fell in love with me,” Jean recalls. “That’s when I realized it was my calling.”
Sometimes God redirects us not through open doors but through closed ones. What seemed like a temporary job became the foundation of a lifelong mission. Jean discovered that God often plants purpose where comfort ends. His story reminds us that success isn’t about our plans but about God’s purpose unfolding in ways we never expected.
The Fall That Led to Faith
For decades, Jean built thriving businesses—developing award-winning senior living communities and managing multi-million-dollar funds. Yet, when an unexpected crisis struck, everything changed.
“In November, something happened that made no human sense,” he said. “I did everything right—from business strategy to culture-building—but it all fell apart.”
This breaking point became his breakthrough. Stripped of worldly success, Jean turned fully to God’s Word. “I’ve been reading the Bible every night,” he said. “And suddenly, it feels like the words have changed—nothing new was written, but now I understand them differently.”
Through loss, Jean rediscovered the truth of Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” His faith deepened not through prosperity, but through pruning—a reminder that sometimes God must remove what sustains our pride to reveal what sustains our soul.
Learning to Be a Priest, Not Just a Provider
Jean’s revelation came when he realized that his leadership had been incomplete. “For years, I led companies, but I didn’t lead my family spiritually,” he admitted.
Scripture began to redefine his understanding of leadership. “God called me to be a priest,” he said. “There’s a difference between being a worshiper and being a priest. A priest leads his family to God.”
Like Abraham, whom God chose because he would “teach his children God’s ways,” Jean began leading his household in prayer and Bible study every evening. His leadership transformed from building structures to building spiritual foundations.
This is the calling of every leader—to move from managing success to ministering faith. True leadership begins not in the boardroom, but in the living room—where faith is lived, taught, and shared.
From Egypt to Freedom
Jean’s most profound statement came when he said, “That was my Egypt.”
His success, he realized, had become his slavery.
Even the blessings God gave him had turned into burdens because they replaced the One who gave them. “I was dependent on my wealth, my status, my achievements. I didn’t realize I had become a slave to them.”
God’s love, however, is relentless. He disciplines not to destroy, but to deliver. Jean now sees his trials as divine rescue missions—God pulling him out of Egypt to bring him into freedom.
“I’m so glad He disciplined me,” Jean said with humility. “He had to take it all away to bring me back to Himself.”
Freedom, Jean learned, isn’t the absence of loss—it’s the presence of surrender.
Leading with Heaven’s Perspective
Today, Jean sees leadership through the lens of priesthood and partnership with God. “God is my possession,” he declares, echoing the words once spoken to the Levites. “Everything in the universe belongs to Him. That makes me prosperous—not my wealth, but my relationship with Him.”
He no longer measures success by expansion but by obedience. His focus now is on legacy—teaching his children faith, guiding his teams with compassion, and serving humanity through the light of Christ.
Jean’s journey proves that true leadership is spiritual stewardship. The goal isn’t to build empires but to build eternal impact.
“Love Him,” Jean concludes, “praise Him in all things, no matter what. When you surrender everything, you realize—He was all you ever needed.”
Written by Jovilyn Dela Cruz
“I thought my success was my strength—but it was my Egypt. God had to take it away to set me free.”
