Have you ever wondered what it takes to lead in a fast-moving and demanding industry like real estate? The sector requires vision, resilience, and the ability to handle complex markets while earning trust and staying professional. Leaders must balance planning with action, keep up with changing trends, and motivate their teams to achieve great results. In a market where ethics and rules are often unclear, only leaders who mix innovation with integrity can make a real difference. 

Hernán De Ponti, Partner and CEO at DMayo Real Estate, shows exactly how this works. He leads with clear principles, strong strategy, and a focus on people. He turns challenges into opportunities and helps organizations grow while setting new standards for professionalism, efficiency, and client trust. His leadership proves that the right approach can change a company and influence the entire industry. 

For his visionary leadership and transformative impact, he is being honored as The Most Influential Real Estate Leader Driving Innovation – 2026 by Elite Success Magazine. 

Journey 

Hernán was born in Argentina and moved to Peru, where he has lived for the past 22 years. He began his professional journey by creating and selling more than fifteen companies that imported medicines. These early ventures shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and gave him a strong foundation in business management and strategic decision-making. 

After establishing himself in the pharmaceutical sector, Hernán turned his attention to technology. He founded and led Groupalia as CEO, successfully selling the company three times while continuing to drive its growth. This experience sharpened his skills in scaling businesses, leading teams, and managing complex transactions. 

Hernán then entered the real estate sector as country manager of NAVENT, the operator of Peru’s leading real estate portals, including Adondevivir. He managed operations across Peru, Ecuador, and Panama, gaining extensive regional experience. During this time, he played a pivotal role in the acquisition of Urbania from the El Comercio Group, which further strengthened his expertise in high-value transactions and market strategy. 

Building on this diverse experience, Hernán joined forces with Edwin Delgado and Aref Abusabal to become a partner and CEO at DMayo Real Estate. In this role, he applies his entrepreneurial vision, technological insight, and transactional expertise to guide the company’s growth, positioning it as a leader in the real estate sector. 

His leadership and experience have been instrumental in shaping DMayo Real Estate’s approach and strengthening its position in the market. 

About the Company 

Dmayo Real Estate has built a strong presence in the Peruvian market through more than 20 years of experience. Founded by Edwing Delgado Mayo in partnership with Aref Abusabal and Hernán De Ponti, the company focuses on all types of real estate transactions, including apartments, houses, and industrial properties. Hernán brings extensive expertise from leading Peru’s main real estate portals for over 10 years, adding significant value to the company’s operations. 

The company manages more than 1,500 properties and employs over 100 professionals. Its core strengths include ethical practices, sector professionalization, and a human-centered approach. Dmayo Real Estate leverages strategic alliances, innovative technology, and a passionate team to lead the market and set new standards in the industry. 

Over the last 18 years, the company has grown alongside a team of highly trained agents who prioritize continuous professional development. Its strong brand attracts a loyal following and expands through partnerships with top real estate portals in Peru. With a clear and adaptable vision, Dmayo Real Estate remains a dynamic and influential force in Peru’s real estate landscape. 

Such growth and influence are the result of strong, engaged leadership, with Hernán steering the company toward excellence every day. 

Roles and Responsibilities 

Hernán, as partner and CEO of DMayo Real Estate, leads with full engagement and hands-on involvement. He works directly on high-value transactions, collaborating closely with agents and team leaders to ensure every deal reaches a successful closing. He stays present throughout the process, guiding decisions and creating a culture of trust where every team member knows they can count on his leadership at each step. 

He prioritizes client support from day one. When DMayo accepts a property, Hernán oversees a careful market value analysis and a thorough review of all documentation to ensure clarity and compliance. He walks clients through every stage, including property evaluation, marketing strategy, property visits, and the signing of the public deed. 

Hernán focuses on building strong relationships, understanding each client’s needs, and providing personalized guidance. His attention to detail ensures clients feel confident and informed throughout the real estate process. He encourages transparency, clear communication, and a collaborative approach, which strengthens the connection between clients and the DMayo team. 

By combining strategic insight with a hands-on presence, Hernán drives both the operational success of DMayo Real Estate and the satisfaction of its clients. His leadership style ensures that the company delivers results while maintaining a professional and supportive environment for both clients and staff. This commitment to excellence and hands-on leadership prepared DMayo Real Estate to navigate the unique challenges of Peru’s real estate market. 

Challenges 

Under his leadership, DMayo Real Estate confronted the challenge of operating in a market that often lacked structure, ethics, and professionalism. Hernán recognized early that transforming this environment required more than just business strategy. He invested in training his team in values, ethics, and excellence, turning the company into a model of professionalism within the Peruvian real estate sector. 

One of the greatest challenges for real estate leaders today is attracting and retaining the right talent while fostering a culture of integrity and professionalism in an industry that has historically been informal. Hernán emphasizes building teams that share the company’s core values, believing that strong people create strong results. 

Another ongoing challenge lies in ensuring that property transactions are completed efficiently. The real estate market can be unpredictable, and closing deals requires focus, strategy, and precision. Hernán approaches this challenge by integrating technology and artificial intelligence into operations, streamlining processes, and improving decision-making. 

Despite these challenges, Hernán maintains a clear mission: to manage property transactions across Peru with speed, accuracy, and reliability. By combining a principled approach with innovative tools, DMayo Real Estate continues to raise standards in the industry and demonstrates that professionalism and success can go hand in hand. Facing these challenges has shaped Hernán’s leadership approach, defining how he guides teams and drives results across the company.  

Leadership Philosophy 

Hernán is a natural leader who has guided large teams with vision and purpose from an early age. Throughout his career, he has managed companies with more than 500 people under his leadership. He combines a strategic mindset with a strong focus on execution, ensuring that every goal is met with clarity and efficiency. His approach inspires teams to perform at their best while fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration. 

What sets Hernán apart is his deep commitment to people. He understands that success comes from empowering teams, listening to their perspectives, and creating an environment where talent can thrive. His experience in leading large teams across complex projects allows him to anticipate challenges, adapt quickly, and make decisions that generate trust and long-term value. 

Hernán has built his personal brand over more than a decade in the real estate sector. As a leader of the main real estate portals in Peru, he has established direct relationships with the country’s top developers and agents. Before focusing on real estate, he specialized in buying and selling companies, successfully completing over 15 major transactions. 

Negotiation skills and a clear vision of the future define Hernán’s leadership style. He consistently identifies new opportunities, closes significant deals, and nurtures lasting relationships. His ability to combine strategic foresight with practical execution drives sustainable growth for DMayo Real Estate. Hernán’s leadership balances ambition with integrity, creating a lasting impact on his teams, clients, and the industry as a whole. This leadership approach extends directly into how he guides and develops the team at DMayo Real Estate. 

Team management and mentorship  

Hernán leads Dmayo Real Estate with a strong focus on nurturing talent and building a high-performing team. He fosters a culture of innovation and continuous learning, ensuring every team member has access to structured training programs. Regular meetings provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, where team members discuss insights, challenges, and successes. The company also invites local and international experts to share perspectives, allowing the team to stay ahead of market trends. This hands-on approach enables the team to transform data and insights into actionable strategies that drive measurable results. 

Creating a welcoming and collaborative environment is a top priority for Hernán. He encourages open communication and values each team member’s input. By building trust within the team and with clients, he strengthens the company’s ability to make informed, data-driven decisions. Team members feel supported and empowered to take initiative, which enhances creativity, problem-solving, and overall performance. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion form the foundation of Hernán’s leadership philosophy. He believes that a team with varied experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives enhances decision-making and builds stronger relationships with clients. He promotes these values through inclusive hiring practices, diversity-focused training, and a workplace culture where every voice is heard. By embedding these principles in daily operations, Hernán ensures that Dmayo Real Estate not only delivers excellence in real estate transactions but also exemplifies a workplace that reflects integrity, respect, and shared growth. This strong culture and leadership approach have also translated into significant achievements for DMayo Real Estate. 

A Record of Leadership and Success 

Hernán has established a strong and respected presence in the real estate sector through strategic initiatives, meaningful partnerships, and the successful execution of high-value transactions. His leadership reflects a clear vision focused on strengthening connections within the industry while creating opportunities for sustainable growth. One of the most significant milestones in this journey was the formation of a strategic alliance with CODIP, the leading association of construction and real estate companies. This collaboration positioned DMayo Real Estate as an important bridge between agents and construction firms, allowing the company to facilitate stronger cooperation and create new opportunities across the market. 

Through careful planning and an emphasis on teamwork, Hernán has guided the organization in managing complex and high-value deals. The team has successfully handled transactions involving land, industrial properties, and real estate assets valued at more than one million dollars. These operations demonstrate the company’s ability to navigate sophisticated negotiations while maintaining professionalism and efficiency. By combining strong partnerships with a highly specialized team, DMayo Real Estate continues to execute large-scale operations with confidence and consistency. 

Hernán’s career is also marked by continuous recognition for his dedication and leadership. In 2021, he received the Managerial Excellence Award, followed by the Business Excellence Award in 2022 and the Real Estate Leadership Award in 2023. In 2024, he was ranked among the Top 10 most influential figures in real estate in the region, while DMayo Real Estate was recognized for the greatest technological innovation in the real estate sector in Peru. In 2025, he was honored as a leading figure in the industry, further reinforcing his long-term impact and commitment to advancing the real estate sector. 

A Vision for Growth and Innovation 

Hernán is determined to make Dmayo Real Estate a leading force in innovation across the Latin American real estate market. He works to ensure the company becomes a symbol of professionalism, trust, and a human-centered approach in every transaction. He plans to expand Dmayo’s footprint through new projects that raise industry standards and deliver lasting value to clients and communities. Hernán also focuses on cultivating talent within the company, mentoring emerging real estate professionals, and fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and collaboration. He envisions Dmayo not only as a successful business but also as a transformative presence in the industry, one that inspires confidence, drives sustainable growth, and shapes the future of real estate across the region. 

Words of Guidance for Entrepreneurs 

Hernán advises emerging entrepreneurs to embrace continuous learning and actively seek guidance from experienced mentors. He believes that knowledge grows not only from personal experience but also from the wisdom of those who have navigated challenges before. Surrounding oneself with the right mentors can provide perspective, inspire confidence, and accelerate growth in the early stages of any business. 

He emphasizes the importance of building a strong and trustworthy network. Genuine relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues create opportunities and foster long-term success. Upholding ethics in every transaction strengthens reputation and establishes credibility, which is essential in the real estate sector. 

Hernán also encourages entrepreneurs to stay agile and adapt to new technologies and changing market trends. Perseverance, a clear strategic vision, and authentic connections form the foundation for lasting impact. By combining these elements, aspiring leaders can become respected figures and make meaningful contributions to their industry. 

Building a Legacy of Vision and Integrity 

Hernán De Ponti has built a legacy defined by leadership, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. As partner and CEO of Dmayo Real Estate, he has transformed the Peruvian real estate sector by combining vision with action. He leads the company with a clear focus on ethics, professionalism, and a human-centered approach, ensuring every client experiences trust, security, and peace of mind. 

Under his guidance, Dmayo Real Estate has grown into a team of over 100 professionals managing more than 1,500 properties. Hernán drives performance through continuous learning, strategic partnerships, and the integration of cutting-edge technology. He fosters diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, creating an environment where every voice matters and innovation thrives. 

Hernán inspires his team and the industry by setting new standards for speed, precision, and transparency in transactions. Beyond business success, he cultivates meaningful relationships with clients, employees, and partners. His legacy is not only the growth of Dmayo Real Estate but also the enduring impact of leadership that transforms the industry and leaves a lasting mark on communities and future generations. 

Lessons from Hernán De Ponti’s Leadership Journey 

1. Integrity and Professionalism: Hernán believes that trust forms the foundation of success in real estate. He prioritizes ethical practices, transparency, and accountability in every transaction, which strengthens relationships with clients, partners, and the wider market. 

2. Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Instead of avoiding complex markets, Hernán focuses on improving them. He works to introduce structure and professionalism in the industry and transforms challenges into opportunities for growth. 

3. Empowering People and Teams: Hernán prioritizes building strong teams by encouraging open communication and continuous learning. He ensures that every team member feels supported, confident, and motivated to contribute to the company’s success. 

4. Balancing Strategy with Execution: Clear vision alone does not create results. Hernán combines strategic thinking with active involvement in operations to ensure that plans translate into measurable outcomes and successful transactions. 

5. Embracing Technology and Innovation: Hernán recognizes the importance of adapting to changing market dynamics. By integrating technology and data-driven tools, he improves efficiency, decision making, and the overall client experience. 

6. Building Meaningful Relationships: Long term success in real estate depends on strong connections. Hernán focuses on developing genuine relationships with clients, developers, and partners to create trust and sustainable growth.