Michael Capponi is known as one of the key pioneers instrumental in shaping the image, popularity, and growth of Miami Beach. Over the past 30 years, Michael has been a leading force in the hospitality and entertainment industries and one of the most accomplished residential real estate developers in South Florida. Michael’s humanitarian and philanthropic missions started in 1999. He is now fully retired from the private sector and focuses 100% of his time and efforts on GEM. He now brings the skills of his prior endeavors to his philanthropic work with GEM.

He has built an international organization that’s disrupting the disaster sector through its innovative, efficient and modernized systems. Unlike many non profit executives, Michael is hands on, boots on the ground, on the field and the offices. He oversees the management of 6 international branches on multiple continents. Read More

GEM has the ability to immediately respond around the world to all phases of disasters. By harnessing the power of social media, celebrity influencers, strategic public-private partnerships and a strong, knowledgeable base of experienced volunteers, Michael has created a replicable formula to have an efficient and effective response to global disasters.

By leveraging support, streamlining and managing logistics and implementing sustainable construction practices, Michael has guided GEM to yield safe and effective results reaching hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries. GEM has responded to disasters in all 50 states, 50 countries, distributed over 250 Million Dollars in supplies, coordinated over 335 disaster mission trips and built or repaired more than 500 homes, 15 schools and supported children in Haiti with their education for the last decade.