Gianluca Perino

IMD Business School

“Italian Navy officer with a passion for cooking and traveling the world on a motorbike.”

Hometown: La Spezia, Italy

Fun Fact About Yourself:  Ever since I was young, I never wanted to keep my feet on the ground. At 15, I joined the Air Force Military High School, dreaming of becoming a pilot. However, three years later, standing almost two meters tall (198 cm or 6’5″), my dreams were dashed due to my height. But this setback didn’t change my desire to get my feet off the ground, so I joined the Italian Naval Academy instead. Funnily enough, while the navy didn’t have a height limit, the ship’s ceilings often reminded me and my head that not everything is always fit for someone my height!

Undergraduate School and Major: Italian Naval Academy, Bachelor of Science in Maritime and Naval Science (Engineering and International Relations)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Italian Navy, Department Head of Navigation and Telecommunications

What has been the best part of being in a small class with this group of classmates? The best part of being in a small class is the ability to form closer, deeper, and long-lasting relationships with each classmate. Knowing everyone by name creates a sense of community and trust. My military experience taught me the value of small cohorts and the deep connections they foster. This is one of the reasons I chose IMD. Additionally, at IMD, we change groups every four to eight weeks, which encourages us to work with different people and appreciate the diverse backgrounds and perspectives each person brings.

Aside from classmates, what part of IMD’s MBA programming led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I sought a program that offered not just quality teaching, but a tailored learning experience. IMD’s personalized coaching and the family-like atmosphere provide the support and guidance I need to bridge my knowledge gap and excel in a new field. Additionally, IMD’s focus on sustainability aligns with my values, and the diverse cohort enriches the learning experience by bringing in varied perspectives. This combination of personalized attention and a rich, diverse environment made IMD the ideal choice for my career transition and personal growth. Coming from a naval background, with no prior business experience, this tailored approach was particularly important to me.

IMD is known for its academic rigor. What is one strategy you used that would help a future IMD MBA better adapt to the workload early on? The workload at IMD is challenging, but engaging fully in classes and ensuring you find time for yourself can make a significant difference. The key is energy management for your brain! Regular exercise and moments to clear your mind are crucial for maintaining your energy and focus, which is beneficial when tackling group exercises and readings. Additionally, be mindful of maintaining a good diet, but rest assured that IMD’s restaurant is fantastic – so you don’t need to worry about it too much. Always keep in mind that this journey is not a sprint – it’s a marathon. You will learn how to prioritize and become more efficient. My advice: don’t waste time searching for perfection, which is not achievable. Instead, focus on producing excellent outputs.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my biggest accomplishments has been managing the integration of my last ship into a US carrier strike group, marking a historic first for the Italian Navy. At the outset, I was overwhelmed and doubted my ability to handle such a significant task. There were no guidelines to follow, which only added to the pressure. However, as I was going through each challenge step-by-step over seven intense months, I started to see progress. The experience was transformative! It made me realize my entrepreneurial mindset and taught me the critical importance of effective stakeholder management and building strong relationships. By the end, I felt a deep sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that perseverance and collaboration had led to a successful outcome.

Describe your biggest accomplishment at IMD so far: Eight hours before presenting to the board of professors for our final module exam – after a ten-week project – we still had no PowerPoint ready. Our group was entangled in discussions, each member holding firmly to their opinions, and there was no consensus on what to include or how to present it. I was no expert on the topic, particularly the financial and product aspects, where my colleagues excelled. Despite this, I stepped in to provide structure and direction while emphasizing the urgency of our deadline and the need to perform. I outlined the PowerPoint, linking all the slides to present a cohesive story rather than a series of disjointed points. I then let my teammates fill in the details with their expertise, acting as a guardrail to keep the narrative on track. Without the collaborative effort and expertise of the entire team, we would not have achieved the results we did. In the end, our presentation earned the highest grade in the class, which I felt was the “right” reward for effective teamwork and leadership.

Where is your favorite hang-out in Lausanne? Why do you (and your classmates) gravitate there? I don’t have a single favorite hang-out spot in Lausanne; it depends on the weather and whether there’s a sports game on. However, if I had to pick one, it would be Jetée de la Compagnie. Starting from early summer, this open space by the lake is perfect for unwinding after a long day at school. What we like the most is that you can enjoy an amazing view of the lake. If you bring your swimsuit, you can take a refreshing dip in the lake. For us, it’s a wonderfully freeing experience and provides the ideal setting to decompress and relax after a busy day on campus. The flexibility of the place is great because everyone can choose their own way to relax and enjoy.

What has been your best memory at IMD thus far? My best memory so far has been the Discovery Expedition in Singapore. I was truly amazed by the level of innovation and technology we encountered. Visiting various cutting-edge companies and seeing firsthand how they implement advanced technologies was an eye-opening experience. It expanded my understanding of what is possible in the tech world and inspired me to think about how these innovations can be applied in different contexts. In addition to that, I had the opportunity to bond even further with some of my colleagues, and we shared unforgettable moments, like discovering that I am good at karaoke (or maybe not)!

What do you hope to do after graduation? Coming from a non-business background, my first choice after graduation would be to join a leading strategy consulting firm. I believe that consulting will provide an excellent platform to learn about various industries and develop a deeper understanding of the business world. While consulting is my primary interest, I am also open to exploring other opportunities. I have been fascinated by different company cultures and industries, and I am excited to see where this remaining part of the year might lead me.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2026: THE ‘DO ANYTHING, BE ANYONE’ COHORT