Mastering FinOps: Certifications, Collaboration, and the Future of AI in Cloud Cost Management

The Passion Behind FinOps

In the world of FinOps, passion isn’t just a bonus — it’s a necessity. In a recent episode of the Vega Cloud Podcast, Tammy Burnitt, a seasoned FinOps professional, joined Willy Sennott, Vega Cloud’s EVP of FinOps, to discuss certifications, cross-functional collaboration, and the evolving role of AI in cloud cost management.

Tammy’s enthusiasm for FinOps is so evident that she even has a custom FinOps license plate in Texas. But her commitment extends beyond the surface. She holds multiple FinOps certifications, including the FinOps Professional and FinOps Certified Engineer certifications, demonstrating dedication to the discipline’s strategic and technical aspects.

“I think knowledge is power. And I just like to give that back — share experiences and learnings.” — Tammy Burnitt

Why FinOps Certifications Matter

Certifications play a crucial role in helping practitioners understand the different personas in FinOps, from finance teams to engineers. While not everyone pursuing FinOps will be an engineer, the FinOps Certified Engineer credential provides insight into architecture, cost considerations, and technical decision-making.

Tammy emphasized the importance of being able to “speak the language” of engineers. Understanding technical constraints and methodologies, such as the iron triangle (speed, cost, quality), allows FinOps professionals to communicate effectively and build credibility.

“The minute you don’t understand high-level concepts, you’re going to struggle to build trust and buy-in.” — Willy Sennott

FinOps isn’t just about cutting costs — it’s about optimizing resources to drive better business outcomes. This requires cross-functional collaboration between finance, engineering, procurement, and even sustainability teams.

Breaking Down Organizational Silos in FinOps

One of the biggest challenges in FinOps is navigating different organizational silos. Tammy and Willy discussed how FinOps has evolved from being finance-heavy to becoming deeply embedded in engineering and DevOps.

Traditionally, conversations around cloud costs happened at the C-suite level, but now they are shifting toward app teams and engineers who make real-time decisions about cloud resources. FinOps must bridge the gap between these groups by translating data into actionable insights.

Tammy shared a compelling cost optimization success story from her time at Shell. During the post-COVID downturn, the company needed to cut cloud costs quickly. By implementing an enterprise-wide rate optimization strategy, rather than a fragmented approach across individual teams, they saved $7 million in the first year alone.

“When you put the data on the table and show millions in savings, people start to listen.” — Tammy Burnitt

However, not every FinOps conversation is straightforward. Willy recalled a moment when a budget owner pushed back on saving money because they feared they would lose that budget allocation.

“So I reframed the conversation: What if I showed you how to spend the same budget dollars more efficiently to drive more revenue? That shifted their perspective.” — Willy Sennott

The Role of AI in FinOps

No discussion about FinOps today is complete without addressing AI’s impact on cloud cost management. While still in its early stages, AI has the potential to enhance forecasting, optimize cloud spending, and automate anomaly detection.

Tammy is currently involved in an AI workgroup for the FinOps Foundation, exploring best practices and emerging technologies. She believes AI will be a transformative force in FinOps but acknowledges challenges such as power consumption, cost efficiency, and modeling complexities.

“People fear AI, but I see it as an opportunity. If you can figure out how to work yourself out of a job with AI, chances are you’ll be the person companies want to hire to do more with AI.” — Tammy Burnitt

Key Takeaways for FinOps Leaders

1. Certifications enhance credibility — Even if you’re not an engineer, technical certifications help you speak the language of those implementing cloud services.

2. Data-driven storytelling drives action — The best way to gain buy-in is to present clear, quantifiable savings opportunities.

3. FinOps must integrate across all teams — Success requires navigating different personas and ensuring finance, engineering, and procurement work together.

4. AI is coming — prepare for it — While still evolving, AI will play a major role in cloud cost management and efficiency.

Tammy and Willy’s conversation was a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities within FinOps. As companies refine their cloud financial management strategies, the ability to communicate effectively, analyze data critically, and leverage technology will separate successful FinOps practices from the rest.

Want to hear more? Listen to the full podcast episode here https://youtu.be/dARZEjvL7rQ?si=4xjDh-DCSYojiyyN

or visit our website for more exciting content: www.vegacloud.io