Founder & President • Global Empowerment Mission

Michael
Capponi

Visionary humanitarian and entrepreneur — dedicated to delivering rapid, strategic, and sustainable aid to communities in crisis worldwide.

In the Press Global Empowerment Mission

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.

382+

Disasters Responded To

76+

Countries Served

$726M+

In Humanitarian Aid Delivered

4-Star

Charity Navigator Rating

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.

Miami

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.

2011

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.

2011–Present

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

2026

Haiti Earthquake

Media

In the News

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Miami Herald

Michael Capponi on Venezuela earthquake relief — Miami Herald

Back from 18 days in La Guaira after two earthquakes, Michael Capponi likens the destruction to “10,000 Surfsides” and commits GEM to Venezuela’s long-term recovery.

Read on Miami Herald

Associated Press

Michael Capponi and GEM’s Venezuela earthquake response — AP News

The Associated Press reports on the Florida-to-Venezuela aid pipeline run by Michael Capponi’s GEM — as many as 1,000 volunteers a day packing relief flown daily to earthquake survivors.

Read on Associated Press

CBS Miami • July 17, 2026