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 389 disasters across all 50 U.S. states and 77 countries, delivering $781 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 389 disasters across 77 countries with $781M in aid delivered. GEM maintains a 4-star Charity Navigator rating.
Media
In the News
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 HeraldMichael 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 PressSecond Shipment of Supplies Sent to Colombia as GEM Helps Survivors in Aftermath of Deadly Quake
GEM President Back in South Florida After Weeks Helping 115,000 People in Venezuela
Disaster Gems for Jamaica from Global Charity Head
GEM Celebrates 15 Years of Support with Celebration in Doral
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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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