Gianluca Perino

IMD Business School

“Former Navy Officer turned consultant, expert skier and skipper with a passion for adventure and cooking.”

Hometown: La Spezia, Italy

Fun fact about yourself: Wherever I go, I bring people together with tiramisù; within two weeks, every new group gets one!

Undergraduate School and Degree:

University of Pisa – Naval Academy
Bachelor and Master in Maritime and Naval Sciences (Engineering and International Relations)

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Italian Navy – ITS Caio Duilio – Department Head of Navigation and Telecommunications

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? N/A

Where will you be working after graduation? I will be joining Bain & Company in Zurich as a Consultant

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Elected by my peers as Ombuds (class rep), I had the privilege of strengthening our class community while acting as the bridge between students, faculty, and the MBA office. Beyond academics, I brought my passion for sailing to IMD by organizing an unforgettable sailing weekend for 70 classmates and alumni in my hometown. Graduating with honors was the perfect way to cap off an incredible year of learning, leadership, and camaraderie.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? In the first two months of our MBA, we advised a startup in the FMCG sector, tasked with delivering a strategic recommendation in just 10 weeks. The challenge wasn’t just the tight timeline but also ambiguous data and a team divided on key decisions. Despite my lack of industry and financial expertise, I drew from my military leadership experience to keep the team focused and moving forward. In the end, we delivered a clear, actionable strategy that the founders valued and implemented. It reinforced that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about cutting through uncertainty and driving action.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? 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.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose IMD for its close-knit community and the unique learning environment that comes with a small cohort. The high faculty-to-candidate ratio creates a setting where interactions are personal, feedback is immediate, and learning goes beyond the classroom. Coming from a non-business background, I knew I needed an MBA experience that wasn’t just about academics but also about building strong relationships and gaining hands-on exposure. IMD offered exactly that: an intense, collaborative environment where I could bridge my experience with business fundamentals and grow both professionally and personally.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor of Finance, Salvatore Cantale. And no, it’s not just Italian camaraderie! His teaching style was hands-on, challenging, and engaging, making even the most complex financial concepts accessible. He guided us through valuation-after-valuation, helping us build a strong understanding of financial forecasting and instruments. His ability to keep us hooked, whether on the whiteboard or deep in an Excel model, made finance one of the most rewarding subjects for me.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course was Strategy Beyond the Market, led by Nestlé Professor of Strategy and Political Economy (and IMD President) President David Bach. This course explored how businesses must operate beyond traditional market forces, taking into account political, regulatory, and societal factors that can significantly impact strategy. We analyzed real-world cases, from geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains to companies navigating environmental regulations and public scrutiny. One of the biggest takeaways was understanding how businesses can proactively engage with governments, regulators, and other stakeholders to shape their external environment rather than just reacting to it. The course equipped me with practical frameworks to assess these challenges, reinforcing the idea that nonmarket strategy is just as critical as market strategy. President Bach’s dynamic teaching style and the real-world relevance of the cases made it an incredibly insightful experience. If given the chance, I would take it again without hesitation!

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could do one thing differently, it would be leveraging friends, mentors, and coaches earlier to navigate my path more efficiently. The MBA is an intense year of self-discovery, and I spent a significant amount of time figuring out my direction. While this was valuable, it sometimes came at the expense of fully engaging in social activities with my cohort. Looking back, I realize that seeking more guidance early on could have helped me make decisions faster, leaving more room to enjoy the unique experiences and connections that make the IMD journey so special.

What is the biggest myth about your school? A common myth about IMD’s MBA is that it’s only for older professionals with extensive work experience. While it’s true that IMD attracts candidates with diverse and seasoned backgrounds, our cohort ranged from 25 to 35 years old, proving that age is not a defining factor for success. Some of the youngest in our class were among the brightest, bringing fresh perspectives and exceptional capabilities. The real hallmark of IMD isn’t age, it’s the outstanding level of talent, experience, and ambition that every participant brings, making the learning environment incredibly dynamic and enriching!

What did you love most about your business school’s town? What I loved most about Lausanne was the perfect blend of nature and city life. The lake, with its stunning views, provided the ideal backdrop for a moment of peace after intense MBA days, while the surrounding greenery made the city feel refreshing and vibrant. Whether going for a walk along the waterfront, hiking in the nearby hills, or simply enjoying the breathtaking scenery, Lausanne offered a unique environment that made the IMD experience even more special

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? I’m not a big movie or TV series watcher, life on a ship makes it tough to follow along with cable TV. However, if I had to choose, I’d say Master and Commander (a masterpiece!). While not a business movie, it captures leadership under pressure, strategic decision-making with limited resources, and the importance of teamwork, lessons that translate well into the business world. In high-stakes environments, whether at sea or in a corporate setting, the ability to adapt, motivate a team, and make tough calls is what ultimately leads to success.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? IMD was the first business school to introduce a formal AI policy, ensuring that AI was thoughtfully integrated into our learning experience. AI was present in every course, constantly evolving alongside our curriculum. One of the most impactful innovations was the ability to use AI to revisit recorded classes, allowing us to ask it to clarify concepts, repeat topics, or assist in synthesizing complex ideas.

The biggest insight I gained is that AI should be a tool to help you get to the answer, not simply give it to you. There’s a fundamental difference between using AI to enhance critical thinking and relying on it for shortcuts.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Selecting just one classmate is a difficult task as a class rep, but at gunpoint, I’d instinctively say Isabel Fernández Acín. She was always helping others, organizing job-hunting support groups, networking events, and tutoring sessions, while still excelling in class participation and social activities. Her determination was unmatched, no challenge was too big and no classmate was left behind. Her energy, altruism, and positive attitude constantly pushed me to be a better person. If I ever get the chance to work with her, or for her, I’d take it blindfolded!

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? My top two professional bucket list items are:

• Help develop structured programs to help European veterans transition into business careers.
• Start and lead my own company, building it into a strong and sustainable business connected to my hometown and the sea, my lifelong passion.

What made Gianluca Perino such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“It is my pleasure to write in support of Gianluca Perino, who recently graduated from the IMD MBA. I had the pleasure of first meeting Gianluca back in 2022 while he was still serving in the Italian Navy. I was introduced to him by one of our alums who thought he would be a great candidate for the MBA…and he was definitely right. I have been Dean of the IMD MBA for the last 4 years and a professor for over 25 years. Gianluca is definitely a standout. He not only has the discipline and drive needed to succeed…something I am sure his military background solidified…but he also has the empathy and call to public service which makes me certain he will continue to have a positive impact on those around him.

Aside from being one of the top academic performers in the MBA, he was also selected to be one of the class’s 2 ombudspeople. In this role, Gianluca was the voice of both the class and the program and had to deal with pressures on both sides. He performed the role marvelously and was respected by all. Gianluca is not afraid to work hard and his training and preparation resulted in an offer from Bain Zurich in a year when the consulting industry was in retraction. I expect more great things from Gianluca and look forward to following his career.”

Omar Toulan
Professor of Strategy and International Management
MBA Dean and Hilti Chair

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

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