Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Vice Admiral (Ret.) of the Peruvian Navy and Professor Fernando D’Alessio, founder and first Director General of Centrum PUCP Graduate Business School.

He served as Director General of Centrum PUCP from January 1, 2000, until May 2017, leaving behind a record of achievement unmatched in the history of any other business school in the world. In only ten years, he secured the three leading international business school accreditations, AASCB, EQUIS, AMBA; three ISO certifications, 9001 (2003), 14001 (2014) and 26000 (2016); and first place nationally — and a position among the best in Latin America — for the school’s MBA, specialized master’s, and doctoral programs. In 2013, he placed Centrum PUCP 62nd worldwide among the top business schools in the ranking of the prestigious British financial publication Financial Times. Beyond his focus on quality and excellence, another hallmark of the D’Alessio administration was constant innovation and the pursuit of the finest faculty available in the market, both national and international, graduates of the leading business schools of North America and Europe, with extensive experience in the private sector and in academia.

In addition to founding the finest graduate business school in Peru, Dr. D’Alessio built a culture of excellence, quality, discipline, and commitment to the national business community, to society at large, and to the country. He believed that educating responsible leaders — thoroughly trained, strategically minded, and driven by a vocation for service — was an essential task for the development of Peru and the region. He was an exceptional leader, an exceptional person, and a great teacher both inside and outside the classroom. His strategic vision, his academic rigor, his management style, and his leadership shaped the culture and identity of our school forever.

He served Peru through the Navy, academia, international organizations, and the State, where he was Minister of Health and Minister of Education, always guided by his love for his country and his spirit of service. His legacy commits us to preserving the values he passed on to us: quality, high standards, integrity, responsibility, and the constant pursuit of excellence.

To honor his memory is to carry forward the work he began. Our commitment is to keep alive the purpose and vision that inspired him to create Centrum PUCP, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire and make a difference in continuing to build a better world for everyone.

He is survived by his wife, Margarita, and his four children: Marcela, Fernando Jr., Franco, and Renzo.

Lima, August , 2026