Meet Our Team
Michael Capponi
Michael Capponi is a dedicated humanitarian. Drawing from an extensive background in event planning, real estate development, and community engagement, Capponi transitioned his focus to humanitarian efforts, using this previous expertise to establish an innovative approach to humanitarian work. His leadership at GEM has made a global impact, providing immediate aid and long-term assistance for communities in need in 70 countries.
Before dedicating his life to humanitarian work, Capponi was a prominent figure in Miami’s nightlife scene, where he played a pivotal role in transforming the city’s social scene. His involvement in relief efforts began in 1999 with fundraising for the Kosovo war and deepened following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, where he mobilized aid and has been supporting Haiti for 15 years. These experiences led to the creation of Global Empowerment Mission.
Today, Capponi’s dedication to his humanitarian work causes defines his mission. Retiring from the private sector, he now fully devotes his efforts to GEM, applying his leadership experience to be hands-on with the organization. He is boots on the ground, in the field and in-office, overseeing operations across 6 branches globally.
Headquarters
Michael Capponi
President-CEO
Erika Ruiz, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Jeff Popovich
VP of Global Operations
Executive Finance Team
Jessica Olivares
Senior Finance Director
Omar Elshabrawy
Finance Director
Maria Zuniga
Senior accountant
Sergio Flores
Senior accountant
Cynthia Hernandez
Senior accountant
Dannelis Silva
Accounting Clerk
Operations
Hana El Gamal
Director of Global Logistics
Kimberley Bentley
US Director of Field Missions
Billy Richardson
Warehouse Manager HQ
Johnny Knowles
Assistant Warehouse Manager HQ
Yahya Haroun
Assistant to VP of Global Operations
Richard Roca
Warehouse Supervisor HQ
Kathy Calderon
Missions Manager
Santiago Neira
Community Projects Lead
Emily Garland
US Program Lead
Andrew Pryor
Field Mission Lead
Nader Hichri
Inventory and Controls Supervisor
Julian Cifuentes
Warehouse Associate
Ronald Borras
Warehouse Associate
Oswaldo Marrero
Warehouse Associate
Marta Contreras
Maintenance
Luis Ramos Reyes
Maintenance
Christina Francois
Receptionist
Donor Department
Mila Gonzalez
Development Operations Manager
Rene Dago III
Institutional Giving Manager
Alina Kurska
International Affairs Director
Michael Kesti
US Government Affairs Director
Cassie Lilly
Grants and Reporting Manager
Alistair Kiyingi
Community Engagement Manager
Sue Cushman
Director of Global In-Kind
David Brooks
Strategic Partnerships
Public Relations
Bianca Bucaram
Public Relations
Alexandra Lansky
Public Relations
Katazyna Merrett
Europe-Middle East
Marketing Team
Spencer Taylor
Director of Video and Imaging
Taylor Jenisch
Video Manager
Robin Watson
Video Manager
HR & Legal
Peter Homer
Head Council
Gregory Homer
Employment Council
Jennifer Fredricksen
Human Resources Specialist
US Registered Branches
USA West
Elizabeth Jernberg
Director of Operations, USA West
Jason Jernberg
Warehouse and Inventory Manager, USA West
Joe Alvino Castro
Warehouse Associate
Jessie Ingalls
Field Missions, USA West
GEM Hawaii-Pacific
Danielle Kawehi Dreis
Executive Director
Kamaka Kan-Hai
Manager of DCMP & RAP
Christy Mendoza
Finance Associate
Niki Trivison
Executive Assistant
Leila DeCoite
Outreach Care Navigator (DCMP)
Haylee Gillmore
Outreach Care Navigator (DCMP)
Yvonne Lang
Housing Case Navigator (RAP/TANF)
Forest Ashley
Construction
Jacek Zylak
Construction
GEM Caribbean
Deika Morrison
Executive Country Director
GEM Europe
Majel Wilson
Executive Director
Wiktor Nguyen Van
Chief Financial Officer
Wiktoria Maciejewicz
Director of Field Missions
Filip Skrzypczak
Field Missions
Grezgorz Swiatek
Warehouse Manager
Roman Andriychuk
Director of Road Transport
GEM Ukraine Branch
Alina Kurska
Director of Ukraine Programs
Andriy Negrych
Director of Operations
Mykhailo Kinash
Chief Financial Officer
Tetiana Radchuk
Chief Accountant
Serhii Perminov
Legal Council
Volodymyr Kuriennoi
Warehouse Manager
Vira Negrych
Inventory Director
Antonina Kinash
Inventory Manager
Mariana Yavorska
Reporting Manager
GEM Middle East
Cairo- Palestine Branches
Nuha Bashir
Executive Country Director, MENA Palestine
Ahmed Qandeel
Operations Director, MENA North Africa
Joudy Habash
Mission Lead
Samir Majed Al Neirab
Operations Manager
Türkiye Branch
Ayça Aydın
Executive Country Director
Gürhan Çevik
Warehouse and Inventory Manager
Latin America Branch
Luis Velasquez
Executive Director
Luis Guillermo
Field Missions
Haiti Branch
Claude Forbin
Executive Country Director
Danoushka Capponi
Director Haiti Educational Programs
Yougains Fils
Programs Manager
Kesny Philippe
Community Center Administrator
Our Board
BASH KAZI
Bash Kazi is a seasoned executive with a proven track record in leadership, management, and entrepreneurship, showcasing expertise across various industries. Currently, he serves on the executive board of Global Empowerment Mission, leveraging his extensive network and expertise to foster high-level government partnerships and execute impactful programs globally. His dedication to making a positive impact is evident in his work with GEM, where he has contributed to several on-ground missions and programs in countries like Turkey, Morocco, and Israel. Read More
Junior Committee
GEM encourages the youth to get involved in humanitarian initiatives.
Join our Team
GEM is on a mission to deliver the most amount of aid, to the most amount of people in need, in the shortest amount of time and with the least amount of costs to our donors. We are a fast-paced team passionate about disrupting disaster relief with a complete 360-degree response. Ready to get started?
