Hernan De Ponti: Building Real Estate Success with Vision, Grit, and Global Experience

The business world is in a constant state of motion—what works today may be obsolete tomorrow. In such a landscape, only a few leaders manage to stay ahead of the curve by embracing change, anticipating trends, and making bold, well-informed decisions. These are not just CEOs; they are builders of momentum, capable of translating uncertainty into opportunity. As industries evolve and borders blur, the demand for adaptable, forward-thinking leadership has never been greater.

Hernan De Ponti stands tall in this league of changemakers. With a career that cuts across pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and real estate, he has shaped his entrepreneurial journey with a rare combination of strategic insight and operational grit. Today, as CEO and Partner at DMAYO Real Estate, Hernan leads one of Peru’s most prominent and innovative property firms—bringing together a wealth of cross-industry experience, a deep understanding of market dynamics, and an unshakable commitment to results. His story isn’t just about business—it’s about bold moves, reinvention, and building success that lasts.

From Argentina to Peru: Building on Bold Transitions

An Argentine by origin, Hernan has called Peru home for the last two decades. His journey began in the pharmaceutical sector, where he developed, scaled, and sold over 15 companies. With a knack for business modelling and market timing, he built a solid foundation in import operations and corporate structuring. But Hernan was never one to remain in one comfort zone for long.

His operational acumen and appetite for high-impact ventures next led him into the world of digital commerce. Partnering with Groupalia, a Spanish group-buying platform, he helped localize and grow the business across the Latin American market. Over time, he sold the company three separate times to different economic groups, while continuing as shareholder and CEO—a rare balance of strategic exit and continued leadership that underscores his credibility in managing both value and vision.

This deep exposure to scaling ventures and navigating cross-border deals laid the groundwork for Hernan’s pivot into real estate. Appointed Country Manager for NAVENT, a digital real estate platform with regional dominance, he took charge of operations in Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. It was during this tenure that he discovered a profound connection to the property sector—an industry he describes as ever-changing and full of challenge.

DMAYO Real Estate: Reimagining Market Leadership

At the heart of Hernan’s current entrepreneurial pursuit lies DMAYO Real Estate, a firm with more than 18 years of legacy in the Peruvian property market. Originally founded by Edwing Delgado 18 years ago, DMAYO had already built a strong presence when Aref Abusabal came on board, bringing further expertise to the team. Hernan joined the company after both Edwing and Aref, completing the leadership trio. Together, they have repositioned DMAYO as a category-defining agency, commanding a premium portfolio of exclusive sales and rental services across the region.

DMAYO’s distinction is rooted not only in high-value transactions but in its forward-thinking embrace of real estate technology. From AI-powered listings to data-driven client journeys, the company is a pioneer of PropTech integration in the region. In 2024, DMAYO earned the title of “Company with the Greatest Technological Innovation in Real Estate in Peru,” an accolade that speaks volumes of Hernan’s commitment to modernizing a traditional industry.

Strategic Brilliance Meets Operational Depth

What sets Hernan apart is not just his track record—it’s the structured, deeply analytical approach he brings to every business vertical. Drawing from his corporate roots, he introduced performance metrics, agile frameworks, and precision-based decision-making into the real estate model—practices that are often absent in legacy-driven agencies.

A self-professed metrics enthusiast, Hernan studies performance indicators with a near-obsessive discipline. Conversion rates, closure timelines, customer satisfaction, agent performance—every variable is measured, reviewed, and optimized. Each year begins with a strategic business plan; adjustments may be made to the path, but never to the destination.

That philosophy proved particularly powerful during the pandemic. As lockdowns brought the property sector to a halt, Hernan initiated a rapid digital transition. From enabling virtual site tours to streamlining CRM tools for agents working from home, he ensured business continuity while enhancing client experience. The crisis, he says, was less a setback and more a springboard for innovation.

A Broader Business Appetite

Hernan’s business instincts extend beyond real estate. He recently launched Los Rosarinos, a high-end Argentine steakhouse in Lima, which opened to great success. The venture reflects his deep-rooted passion for delivering premium customer experiences while staying connected to cultural heritage. More importantly, it highlights his ability to diversify into other service industries without losing strategic focus—a rare trait among executives managing demanding core portfolios. His entrepreneurial approach remains consistent: build expert teams, embed operational excellence, leverage technology, and maintain a customer-first philosophy across sectors. With Los Rosarinos, Hernan is reimagining the traditional steakhouse, blending Argentine authenticity with a modern edge.

A Global Perspective with Local Expertise

One of Hernan’s most valuable assets is his multinational experience. Having worked in Argentina, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, he understands the regulatory, cultural, and economic nuances that define each market. This depth of insight allows DMAYO to seamlessly manage international clients and offer informed, high-trust advisory services across borders.

This experience has also led him to participate in the acquisition and divestiture of more than 25 companies—many of them cross-border and transnational in nature. These ventures have shaped Hernan’s strategic fluency in mergers, exits, and integrations, which now influence how he grows and optimizes DMAYO’s operations.

The Human Factor: Culture, Team, and Trust

While metrics and tech are central to DMAYO’s success, Hernan never loses sight of what matters most: people. He believes that a positive workplace culture, a highly aligned team, and a shared vision are indispensable to sustainable growth. “I try to surround myself with good people who are on the same page and give their all for the growth of the company and the team,” he shares.

This people-first approach means that DMAYO isn’t just a place of work—it’s a performance-driven community. Hernan empowers leaders, builds accountability, and practices high-involvement leadership. He knows when to lead from the front and when to delegate, trusting his senior managers to make sound decisions while staying accessible for strategic guidance.

Measuring What Matters

Hernan doesn’t believe in vanity metrics. For him, success is the outcome of a high-functioning ecosystem—clients, employees, investors, and partners all moving toward a common vision. While he values numbers and statistics, he places equal weight on intangible indicators like culture, morale, and client satisfaction.

Yet, DMAYO’s performance tells its own story. In the last few years, the company has broken several internal records in high-value property sales and rental placements, leading the market in key cities. These results are not anomalies—they’re the reflection of an organization obsessed with continuous improvement.

Philosophy in Practice: Lessons from the Trenches

For Hernan, leadership is not theory—it’s lived experience. He has managed organizational structures with over 500 employees spread across multiple countries. He has led teams through volatile markets, political uncertainty, and economic downturns. His philosophy of success is shaped by real-world complexity, not boardroom abstractions.

One key lesson? Never underestimate the power of agility. When goals remain fixed but conditions change, adaptive strategies become the bridge between vision and execution. Another? Leadership is earned through involvement. Hernan doesn’t simply assign tasks—he walks alongside his team, celebrates their wins, and challenges their assumptions.

His advice to aspiring leaders is simple yet profound: focus on your core strengths, hire well, and infuse passion into everything. Because in the end, it’s passion that fuels resilience, and resilience that delivers results.

Looking Ahead: Reinvention as a Way of Life

As 2025 unfolds, Hernan’s focus is firmly set on scaling DMAYO into a dominant player across Latin America’s real estate and property-tech space. Expansion plans are underway, including exploring new service verticals, developing a stronger digital marketplace, and building strategic alliances with international investment groups.

Beyond business growth, he aims to deepen DMAYO’s social impact—offering more sustainable property solutions and promoting inclusive urban development. Hernan sees the future of real estate not just in square footage or transaction value, but in how spaces improve lives.

Moreover, with the successful entry into hospitality through Los Rosarinos, Hernan is reinforcing a broader idea—that the principles of smart leadership, innovation, and people-centric growth can be applied across industries. His career is no longer a single success story—it’s a blueprint for modern entrepreneurship.