Steve Light Email & Phone Number

Greater Chicago Area

I am the primary point of contact for all matters related to Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), supporting finance, accounting, sales, and HR within our Information Technology framework. My primary objective is to chart a forward-looking path for modernizing our existing EPM systems using state-of-the-art technologies. This involves overseeing multi-million-dollar projects that facilitate the transition to a cloud-based EPM solution. I work closely with business transformation leaders who are integrated into our technology-supported business units. My role involves ensuring alignment and optimizing processes. Our efforts are further bolstered by establishing a program office that brings together IT, HR, Sales, finance, and accounting professionals, all contributing to a significant digital transformation. As a trusted advisor, I work closely with leadership teams and functional operations across the globe. Additionally, I serve as the primary point of contact for vendors and third-party system implementors, ensuring the maturation of our EPM environment.

Chicago, Illinois

TransUnion hired me to create, staff, and manage the new Global Enterprise Performance Management Group to fix broken processes, improve performance, stop system outages, and to make Hyperion SOX compliant. All of this was completed during my first year. In addition, I created the Hyperion Community of Interest (CoI) to improve communication and collaboration across the business SME’s, Power Users, IT, Project Managers, and the Hyperion team. The CoI was very successful at TransUnion and I was selected to present a session on it at the KScope conference. I established the EPM policy & procedure guidelines for SOX and for segregation of duties that have become the gold standard at TransUnion. The team also expanded Hyperion at TransUnion by adding new applications and additional functionality like CapEx Planning, enhanced workforce planning, automated reporting for close and forecast, automated corporate allocations, and supervised 3 major system upgrades. In 2020 the CFO tasked me and Corporate FP&A to find a replacement for Hyperion with a SaaS solution. We created a detailed roadmap to move to the cloud with vendor software selection to review 12 potential Hyperion replacements. Then we worked with procurement to complete a 4-month deep dive with a predictive benchmark process where we selected OneStream as our new tool. The OneStream implementation was successfully completed on time and within budget in 13 months. We delivered the existing Hyperion systems with additional dimensionality and new functionality for drill through to ERPs, dashboards, and more complex and robust security.

Greater Chicago Area

Filled client facing roles of Hyperion Planning and Oracle Essbase architect and design lead for 8 clients. Manager with multiple direct reports. Led the effort for the creation of intellectual capital. Successfully led A&M’s effort to become Oracle Specialized Partner for Hyperion Planning, Essbase, and HFM by completing 13 certifications within an 8-month period.

Greater Chicago Area

Hyperion Planning and Essbase practice leader at ClearLine Group. Filled client facing roles of Hyperion Planning, Oracle Essbase, and Anaplan architect and design lead for 6 clients. Helped to start the Anaplan practice and earned Anaplan’s Modeler, Advanced, and Agile Implementation Methodology certifications. Manager and career advisor with multiple reports. Managed ClearLine’s Hyperion User Group and Facebook profile. Wrote white papers on “Allocation Tips for Oracle Hyperion Developers”, “Modified Rolling Forecasts”, “Roadmap for a Center of Excellence”, “Foundation of a Hyperion Center of Excellence”, and “Accurate and Efficient Forecasts”. Created a technical BLOG for Hyperion Planning and Essbase. Gave numerous presentations at conferences, user group meetings, live webinars, and YouTube videos about rolling forecasts, improving forecasts with allocations, technical Center of Excellence, and sizing Essbase & Hyperion applications.The ClearLine Group was acquired by Alvarez & Marsal.

Greater Chicago Area

Filled client facing roles of Hyperion Planning, Oracle Essbase, and EIS (Essbase Integration Services) architect and design lead for 6 clients. Internal manager and career advisor with multiple reports. Featured speaker at Oracle OpenWorld representing General Mills. Supported technical sales and presales operations. Created 3 utilities to support Essbase development.

Greater Chicago Area

Designed and developed EPM applications using a number of different tools including Essbase and Hyperion Planning as design lead, architect, and project manager at 5 clients. Held the internal positions of Regional Leader and internal manager with multiple direct reports. Featured speaker at numerous Hyperion User Group Conferences. Supported technical sales and pre-sales operations. Received the Palladium Catalyst Award.

Greater Chicago Area

Designed and developed EPM applications using a number of different tools including Essbase, DB2/OLAP, and Hyperion Planning as design lead, architect, and project manager at 40 clients. Held the internal positions of National Technical Community Coordinator, Hyperion Practice Advocate, Essbase Domain Leader, BI Other Practice Leader, and internal manager with multiple direct reports. Vendor certified instructor for both entry level and advanced technical training courses and developed custom training for clients. Featured speaker at numerous Hyperion User Group Conferences and the Hyperion Solutions Conference. Supported technical sales and presales operations. ThinkFast Consulting was acquired by Palladium Group.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, History

Master Of Science - Ms, Management Information Systems

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, International Relations

Activities and Societies: ROTC