Founder & President • Global Empowerment Mission
Michael
Capponi
Visionary humanitarian and entrepreneur — dedicated to delivering rapid, strategic, and sustainable aid to communities in crisis worldwide.
About
A Life Dedicated
to Service
Michael Capponi is the Founder and President of Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a leading international disaster relief nonprofit dedicated to delivering rapid, strategic, and sustainable aid to communities in crisis.
Capponi's career began in Miami, where he became a pioneering figure widely credited with helping transform South Beach into a world-renowned destination. In 2011, following a profound personal shift in purpose, he founded GEM — which has deployed to 382+ disasters across all 50 U.S. states and 76+ countries, delivering over $726 million in humanitarian aid.
From the Haiti earthquake to Hurricane Dorian, the war in Ukraine, the Turkey–Syria earthquakes, the Maui wildfires, and the Israel–Hamas conflict, GEM has earned international recognition for its ability to move faster, partner smarter, and stay longer than traditional aid models.
The Journey
From Adversity to Purpose
A visionary humanitarian and entrepreneur, Capponi has leveraged decades of experience in real estate, logistics, and philanthropy to build GEM into one of the most agile and effective organizations in the global aid sector.
Real Estate & Hospitality Pioneer
Capponi's career began in Miami, where he became a pioneering figure in the city's real estate and hospitality industries — widely credited with helping transform South Beach into a world-renowned destination.
A Shift in Purpose
Following a profound personal shift in purpose, Capponi redirected his energy toward humanitarian work — driven by a mission to bring speed, dignity, efficiency, and long-term impact to disaster response.
Founder & President of GEM
Founded Global Empowerment Mission, now responding to 382+ disasters across 76+ countries with over $726M in aid delivered. GEM maintains a 4-star Charity Navigator rating.
Impact
Major Relief Operations
Haiti Earthquake
100+ return missions providing sustained relief and rebuilding
Hurricane Maria
Puerto Rico aid with Will Smith & Bethenny Frankel
Hurricane Dorian
Major Bahamas relief operations
Ukraine War
$85M+ in aid delivered, 50–70 homes repaired monthly
Turkey–Syria Earthquakes
Emergency response and long-term rebuilding support
Maui Wildfires
Partnered with SpaceX, Tesla for emergency relief
Israel–Hamas Conflict
37 aid trucks deployed from Cairo into Gaza
LA Wildfires
3 California warehouses, Hire A Survivor job fairs
Hurricane Melissa
25,000 relief kits for Jamaica
Media
Recent Press
GEM Brings First Job Fair for LA Fire Survivors to Pasadena
GEM Ready to Repair/Replace 50,000 Roofs Says Capponi
Living Your Purpose with Michael Capponi
Get Involved
Support GEM
Global Empowerment Mission delivers rapid, strategic, and sustainable aid to communities in crisis. Every contribution makes a direct impact.
Donate to GEM