Bridging Generations and Platforms: Mel Lenhardt on the Future of EPM
The Black Diamond Podcast team sat down with someone who’s seen the evolution of enterprise performance management firsthand—Mel Lenhardt, Strategic Customer Advisor at OneStream. From his early days implementing Hyperion Pillar in the ’90s to guiding large enterprises through strategic transformation today, Mel’s career reflects just how far the industry has come.
From Hyperion to OneStream—and Beyond
Since joining OneStream in 2017, Mel has held roles in consulting, product, and now strategic advisory. Today, he works with large customers to unlock more use cases for the platform long after their initial implementation. “The more you do, the more you can do,” he says—quoting CEO Craig Colby. That philosophy fuels his team’s efforts to drive deeper, lasting impact with OneStream.
Evolving Expectations
Mel highlights how consulting culture has shifted. Customers used to roll up their sleeves, eager to learn and build. Now, many expect polished, plug-and-play solutions—like opening an app and instinctively knowing how it works. That’s where offerings like CPM Express come in: quick-start options that make adoption easier while leaving room for complexity when needed.
But even as tools change, talent matters—and Mel is optimistic about the next generation. “They’re all in. They’re smart, intuitive, and eager to learn,” he says. Though he admits today’s consultants are much better at drawing boundaries around their time. “We used to leave Sunday night and get home Friday. They just tell leadership ‘no.’”
The AI SML Shift
Looking ahead, Mel sees AI SML reshaping the EPM landscape. CPM will always be essential, but AI-powered functionality is rising fast. “In three years, we’ll be talking more about AI SML than CPM,” he predicts. And based on the innovation happening behind the scenes, that shift may come even sooner.
Tune In
From consulting culture and tech evolution to the future of finance transformation, Mel brings decades of insight with a fresh, forward-thinking lens.
