Founder & President • Global Empowerment Mission

Michael
Capponi

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

Michael Capponi

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

2010

Haiti Earthquake

100+ return missions providing sustained relief and rebuilding

2017

Hurricane Maria

Puerto Rico aid with Will Smith & Bethenny Frankel

2019

Hurricane Dorian

Major Bahamas relief operations

2022–Present

Ukraine War

$85M+ in aid delivered, 50–70 homes repaired monthly

2023

Turkey–Syria Earthquakes

Emergency response and long-term rebuilding support

2023

Maui Wildfires

Partnered with SpaceX, Tesla for emergency relief

2024

Israel–Hamas Conflict

37 aid trucks deployed from Cairo into Gaza

2025

LA Wildfires

3 California warehouses, Hire A Survivor job fairs

2025

Hurricane Melissa

25,000 relief kits for Jamaica

Media

Recent Press

KDVRJuly 2025

GEM Brings First Job Fair for LA Fire Survivors to Pasadena

Jamaica ObserverNov 2025

GEM Ready to Repair/Replace 50,000 Roofs Says Capponi

ForbesSept 2024

Living Your Purpose with Michael Capponi

View all press →

Get Involved

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Global Empowerment Mission delivers rapid, strategic, and sustainable aid to communities in crisis. Every contribution makes a direct impact.

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