In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Ron Nachum, Founder of Sapien, an AI-native company building systems that understand and act on enterprise financial data. Ron shares how his team is redefining finance operations using AI agents that go beyond dashboards and chatbots to actively analyze, optimise, and recommend actions across business functions.

Ron Nachum is the Founder of Sapien, an AI-native platform that helps companies run finance and operations through intelligent systems built on top of ERPs, spreadsheets, and enterprise data. With a background in applied AI research at Harvard, Ron focuses on building systems that turn fragmented financial data into real-time business decisions.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How AI agents are reshaping finance and FP&A workflows
• Why companies need systems that understand their business context
• How Sapien automates reporting, analysis, and decision support
• The importance of guardrails, auditability, and financial structure in AI

Ron shows how AI agents are moving finance beyond reporting into real-time decision-making. Sapien blends structure, data, and intelligence to turn complex systems into actionable insights.

Follow Ron:

Website: https://sapien.ai/news

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-nachum/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[02:35] – Why Ron left Harvard to build Sapien

[05:15] – Founding story and early vision

[07:46] – Building AI systems for finance

[09:13] – From manual workflows to AI automation

[10:03] – Evolution of AI agents in finance

[11:29] – How AI is changing FP&A roles

[12:45] – Guardrails and system design

[13:56] – Financial intelligence in AI systems

[16:19] – Opinionated vs. flexible AI systems

[18:26] – Closing thoughts

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Ron Nachum, Founder and CEO of Sapien, to discuss how AI agents are transforming financial operations and decision-making for companies. Ron shares how Sapien leverages AI to unify siloed financial data, automate workflows, and provide actionable insights, helping companies unlock millions of dollars in hidden value while enabling employees to focus on strategic work.

Ron Nachum is the founder and CEO of Sapien, an AI-native platform that deploys agents to understand and act on messy, siloed data across ERPs, data warehouses, CRMs, and spreadsheets. Ron studied at Harvard, where he focused on computer science, statistics, and applied AI research. He has spent years building AI solutions for finance and operational processes, creating systems that help companies make better, faster decisions and optimize their operations.

In this episode, you will discover:

• AI can unlock value from messy, siloed financial data
• Sapien’s platform automates reporting, forecasting, and operational decisions
• Human oversight and governance remain crucial for AI configurability
• Talent density and culture are key to scaling a young, fast-growing company
• Early entrepreneurial mindset shapes long-term innovation

Ron Nachum demonstrates how AI can revolutionize financial operations by turning siloed, messy data into actionable insights. Sapien’s platform empowers companies to automate reporting, optimize decisions, and free employees to focus on high-value work. Ron emphasizes that combining AI with governance, configurability, and a talented team creates systems that not only deliver immediate value but also scale strategically.

Follow Ron:

Website: https://sapien.ai/news

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-nachum/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] – Trailer

[03:15] – Data-Rich, Analysis-Poor Challenge

[06:21] – Harvard & the Leap to Sapien

[11:32] – AI Agents in Finance

[17:01] – Balancing AI Flexibility & Guardrails

[23:19] – Efficient & Secure Data Handling

[26:34] – Making Insights Accessible to All Teams

[30:45] – Configurability, Forecasting & Learning

[38:22] – Real-World Impact & Optimizations

[40:25] – Leading Young Teams with Experienced Advisor

[46:11] – Early Entrepreneurial Ventures

[49:13] – Closing Thoughts & Thanks

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Dave Trier, CEO of ModelOp, to discuss how enterprises can govern, manage, and operate AI at scale. Dave shares insights on implementing AI responsibly, tracking ROI, managing risks, and creating an enterprise-wide AI portfolio that drives value while ensuring compliance and governance.

Dave Trier leads ModelOp with a focus on customer value, product innovation, and enterprise execution. With over 20 years in data science, AI, analytics, cloud, and enterprise software, he brings technical expertise and a pragmatic leadership style, helping CIOs, CTOs, and AI leaders deploy AI effectively across organizations .

In this episode, you will discover:

• How enterprises can scale AI responsibly and reliably
• The CFO’s role in AI oversight and portfolio management
• Measuring AI value through ROI, usage, and internal feedback
• Distinctions between AI governance and traditional data governance
• Importance of change management and structured AI adoption

Dave provides a framework for enterprise AI adoption, emphasizing disciplined management, measurable impact, and alignment with regulatory and operational requirements. This episode is essential for finance and tech leaders looking to integrate AI at scale while ensuring oversight, efficiency, and business value .

Follow Dave:

Website: https://www.modelop.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidetrier/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] – Trailer

[02:38] – AI Compliance & Governance Challenges

[04:35] – Distinction Between AI & Data Governance

[07:28] – Measuring AI Value & ROI

[12:41] – Treating AI as a Portfolio of Investments

[15:05] – Change Management & Enterprise Adoption

[17:39] – Wild West of AI & Need for Rigorous Processes

[18:54] – CFO Oversight in AI Implementation

[21:00] – Closing Remarks

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Dave Trier, CEO of ModelOp, to explore the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI at scale in enterprises. Dave shares how organizations can manage AI responsibly, measure ROI, and move from scattered pilots to a disciplined, industrialized approach. He also discusses the critical role of CFOs in AI oversight, change management, and creating measurable business value from AI initiatives

Dave Trier is CEO of ModelOp, leading the company with a focus on customer value, product innovation, and enterprise execution. With over 20 years of experience across AI, data science, analytics, cloud, and enterprise software, Dave is a patent-holder and trusted partner to CIOs, CTOs, and AI leaders. Prior to becoming CEO, he shaped ModelOp’s product strategy and held senior roles at Think Big Analytics, Powered by Action, and Accenture Technology Labs. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How to industrialize AI delivery across an enterprise
• Managing risk, governance, and compliance for AI implementations
• Measuring AI ROI using financial, feedback, and usage metrics
• The CFO’s role in AI oversight and rationalizing AI investments
• Key lessons for change management and process discipline in AI adoption

Dave Trier highlights how enterprises can move from scattered AI pilots to a disciplined, industrialized approach that delivers measurable business value. He emphasizes the importance of governance, change management, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure AI initiatives succeed. CFOs play a key role in oversight, setting financial parameters, and rationalizing AI investments.

Follow Dave:

Website: https://www.modelop.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidetrier/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] – Trailer

[02:07] – Meet Dave Trier, CEO of ModelOp

[04:57] – ModelOp & AI Governance Explained

[06:21] – AI vs Data Governance

[08:11] – Evaluating AI ROI for CFOs

[13:24] – AI as a Managed Investment Portfolio

[16:43] – Change Management & Process Discipline

[20:48] – CFO’s Role in AI Oversight

[27:38] – Tips to Maximize AI ROI

[30:16] – Enterprise AI Complexity & Coordination

[32:13] – Dave’s Journey: Electrical Engineer to AI CEO

[35:12] – Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Scott Leshinski, President of OneStream Software, to discuss the company’s recent acquisition by Hg Capital. Scott explains how OneStream’s unified platform is transforming finance workflows, the role of AI in enterprise finance, and how finance teams are learning to trust and use these advanced tools.

Scott Leshinski is the President of OneStream Software, with experience in corporate finance at GE Capital, co-founding Bluestone International, and leading finance technology transformations at Huron Consulting Group. He joined OneStream in 2021 and was promoted to President in 2023 after driving strong growth in AI initiatives.

In this episode, you will discover:

• The impact of OneStream going private under Hg Capital
• How unified platforms improve financial planning and reporting
• AI and machine learning are enhancing forecast accuracy and efficiency
• Importance of transparency, traceability, and trust in AI outputs

Scott Leshinski highlights the exciting future of finance, where unified platforms and automation are transforming how businesses manage financial workflows. He emphasizes the growing role of technology in making finance processes more efficient and discusses how OneStream is helping companies become more agile.

Follow Scott:

Website: https://www.onestream.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-leshinski-bb5736b/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:23] – Guest Intro

[01:32] – Acquisition & AI-First Strategy

[03:57] – Long-Term Growth Opportunities

[05:18] – Scott’s Career Journey

[08:38] – Need for Unified Platform

[10:13] – OneStream Overview

[13:29] – Practical Enterprise Impact

[17:11] – Unified Platform for AI

[21:01] – Agentic AI & High Accuracy

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper speak with Ali Hussain, CEO and co-founder of Tabs, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing finance workflows. Ali discusses the limitations of legacy finance systems, the challenges of modern revenue models, and how AI is automating the full contract-to-cash cycle for finance teams.

Ali Hussain is the CEO and co-founder of Tabs, where he leads the development of AI-native solutions designed to automate the billing, collections, and revenue recognition process. With a background spanning product leadership at Google, strategy consulting at BCG, and public policy, Ali is at the forefront of the next wave of finance technology.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How automation is transforming the finance sector, particularly revenue management
• The importance of structured data for effective financial solutions
• Why traditional finance systems struggle with modern revenue models
• How Tabs is automating billing, collections, and revenue recognition

This episode provides insights into how automation is reshaping finance, helping businesses manage revenue models and streamline financial tasks. Ali Hussain shares his perspective on simplifying finance workflows and the direction the industry is heading.

Follow Ali:

Website: https://www.tabs.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-hussain786/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabsplatform

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[02:00] – Ali's Background and Tabs' Growth

[03:00] – Automation in Finance

[05:00] – Agents in Finance Workflows

[08:00] – Data Quality in Finance

[10:00] – Limitations of LLMs in Finance

[12:00] – Agents vs Automation

[15:00] – The Future of Finance

[17:00] – Managing Usage-Based Pricing

[21:00] – Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper sit down with Scott Leshinski, President of OneStream Software, to discuss OneStream's recent acquisition by Hg Capital and the exciting changes it brings to the company’s approach to finance technology. Scott shares how OneStream’s focus on a unified platform is reshaping the finance space, and how integrating smart technology into financial workflows is making a real difference for businesses today.

Scott Leshinski is the President of OneStream Software, where he leads OneStream’s growth and innovation. With a background in corporate finance at GE Capital, co-founding Bluestone International, and working at Huron Consulting Group, Scott has a wealth of experience in driving major tech transformations. He joined OneStream in 2021 and was promoted to President in 2023 after helping the company achieve impressive growth.

In this episode, you will discover:

• What OneStream's acquisition by Hg Capital means for its future
• The benefits of using a unified platform in finance
• How automation is improving financial processes
• The evolving role of automation in financial planning and decision-making
• How OneStream’s tools are helping businesses become more agile and efficient

Scott Leshinski highlights the exciting future of finance, where unified platforms and automation are transforming how businesses manage financial workflows. He emphasizes the growing role of technology in making finance processes more efficient and discusses how OneStream is helping companies become more agile.

Follow Scott:

Website: https://www.onestream.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-leshinski-bb5736b/

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] – Intro

[03:00] – OneStream's Acquisition Impact

[05:00] – Transition from Public to Private

[06:00] – Scott's Career Path

[10:00] – What OneStream Does

[14:00] – The Power of Unified Platforms

[18:00] – Automation in Financial Planning

[19:00] – The Rise of Automation

[26:00] – Building Trust in Automation

[29:00] – Improving Forecast Accuracy

[35:00] – The Future of Finance

[50:00] – Fun Questions with Scott

[55:00] – Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper speak with Ali Hussain, CEO and co-founder of Tabs, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing the revenue process for finance teams. Ali discusses how the traditional ERP systems have left revenue management behind, and how Tabs is changing the game by automating the full contract-to-cash cycle. He shares his insights on the complexity of revenue management, AI’s role in financial systems, and why understanding the data context is key to success in AI-powered finance tools.

Ali Hussain is the CEO and co-founder of Tabs, where he leads the development of AI-native solutions designed to automate the billing, collections, and revenue recognition process. With a background spanning product leadership at Google, strategy consulting at BCG, and public policy, Ali is at the forefront of the next wave of finance technology.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How AI is transforming revenue management in finance
• The importance of data context in AI-powered tools
• Why traditional finance systems fail to address modern revenue models
• How Tabs automates billing, collections, and revenue recognition

Ali Hussain shared invaluable insights into the future of finance, highlighting how AI is revolutionizing revenue management and financial operations. While AI brings immense potential for automation, human judgment remains crucial in making strategic decisions.

Follow Ali:

Website: https://www.tabs.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-hussain786/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabsplatform

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:00] – Trailer

[03:00] – Legacy Finance Systems

[06:15] – Revenue Management Gaps

[09:00] – How Tabs Transforms Finance

[12:00] – AI in Billing & Rev Rec

[15:30] – Clean Data Importance

[19:00] – AI vs Human Judgment

[22:30] – The Future of AI

[25:00] – Complex Revenue Models

[29:00] – AI Challenges in Finance

[34:00] – Closing Thoughts on AI

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper talk with David Ingraham, founder and CEO of HyperPerfect. David explains why AI works best in finance when it is used step by step, with clear context and human review. He also shares why Excel is still central to finance work and how better AI tools can help teams move faster without losing control.

David Ingraham is the CEO and founder of HyperPerfect, a financial reporting and accounting platform that integrates powerful AI directly into Excel. With nearly 20 years of experience in private equity, David has worked on deals totaling over $1.5 billion. He is also passionate about educational initiatives, serving as board president of Aim High, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides free summer education to nearly 2,000 students annually.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why finance teams are still slow to adopt AI
• Why context matters when using AI in Excel
• Why AI should be treated like a teammate, not a shortcut
• How breaking work into smaller steps leads to better results
• Where AI helps most in finance today

David Ingraham is the founder and CEO of HyperPerfect, a company that brings AI tools into Excel. He spent nearly 20 years in private equity and has worked on deals worth more than $1 billion. He also serves as board president of Aim High, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides free summer education to students.

Follow David:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsingraham/

Website: https://www.hyperperfect.com

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[00:22] - David’s background

[02:49] - What HyperPerfect does

[06:01] - Why finance struggles with AI

[07:36] - Why context matters

[12:23] - What AI agents are good at today

[13:08] - Using AI as a partner

[17:51] - Building models step by step

[19:20] - Productivity gains and closing thoughts

In this episode of Future Finance, Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Hopper are joined by David Ingraham to discuss how AI is transforming the world of finance, particularly in Excel, and why it's essential to treat AI as a partner rather than a tool to simply execute commands. David, the CEO and founder of HyperPerfect, shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities in the AI-finance intersection, including the importance of context and understanding AI’s limitations.

David Ingraham is the CEO and founder of HyperPerfect, a financial reporting and accounting platform that integrates powerful AI directly into Excel. With nearly 20 years of experience in private equity, David has worked on deals totaling over $1.5 billion. He is also passionate about educational initiatives, serving as board president of Aim High, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides free summer education to nearly 2,000 students annually.

In this episode, you will discover:

• Why finance professionals are slow to adopt AI despite its potential
• How AI should be treated as a teammate, not a replacement
• Why context is everything in AI models, especially in Excel
• The limitations of AI in finance and how to work around them

David emphasizes that AI isn’t a shortcut; it’s most effective when used incrementally, with human oversight to ensure accurate results. He also discusses how AI can significantly increase productivity, with an efficiency gain of 15 to 20 times if used properly.

Follow David:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsingraham/

Website: https://www.hyperperfect.com

Follow Glenn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbhopperiii

Follow Paul:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguy

Follow QFlow.AI:

Website - https://bit.ly/4i1Ekjg

Future Finance is sponsored by QFlow.ai, the strategic finance platform solving the toughest part of planning and analysis: B2B revenue. Align sales, marketing, and finance, speed up decision-making, and lock in accountability with QFlow.ai.

Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of finance and what it means for businesses and individuals alike.

In Today’s Episode:

[02:35] – David Ingraham Background

[04:02] – AI in Finance & Accounting for Dummies

[05:57] – AI as a Teammate, Not a Threat

[07:09] – AI as a Thought Partner

[10:01] – Why Finance Teams Struggle with AI

[11:51] – Evolution of FP&A

[14:30] – RevOps & Finance Alignment

[16:41] – AI Use Cases in Finance

[19:20] – Agentic AI & Future Direction

[22:31] – Process, Data & AI Limitations

[28:52] – AI Questions & Closing