FinOps in Action

How can automation and engineering trust transform FinOps success?

In this episode of FinOps in Action, I’m joined by Diana Lezcano, Former Head of FinOps Engineering at Digital.ai and a professional dog trainer, who shares her unique journey into cloud cost management and what it takes to scale FinOps in a dynamic, engineering-led environment.

Together, we dive into key topics, including:

• Why eliminating spreadsheets is the first step toward true FinOps automation

• Real-world examples of cloud cleanup efforts, from Elastic IPs to EBS volumes

• How to build trust with engineers to drive change—even in production

• Using AI for anomaly detection and aligning cost insights with performance metrics

• The communication strategies and cultural shifts required for lasting FinOps adoption

Whether you're just getting started in FinOps or scaling a mature practice, Diana offers a masterclass in blending engineering, automation, and human connection to drive results.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert interviews, FinOps best practices, and strategies to optimize your cloud spend!

Quote of the Show:

• “When engaging with engineers, people are too focused on talking about cost versus talking about performance. You have to talk to them about what they care about. They care about performance, scalability, and availability.” - Diana Lezcano

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-lezcano/ 
• Website: www.digital.ai 

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f25a9d18-c12f-4ee4-93f5-2aa96e509b55 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finops-in-action/id1790497808 
• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/268443483/ 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/finops-in-action-5958339 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IpjMc3qxDXZAjic5Zq21t 
• Transistor: finopsinaction.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PointFiveCloudCostEfficiency 

How can FinOps leaders drive both cost efficiency and innovation?

In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Preston Tauscher, Senior Product Owner of FinOps at AvidXchange, who brings over three decades of experience in digital transformation. Preston shares how his leadership journey has shaped his approach to cloud financial operations, offering practical insights for FinOps practitioners navigating complex enterprise environments.

Together, we dive into key topics, including:

• How AvidXchange uses unit costs and Tag-a-thons to optimize cloud spend and drive operational excellence

• The importance of metrics-based management and actionable reporting
  • Sell the ‘WHY’... to help center FinOps Persona’s on the VALUE of embracing change

• Strategies for predicting costs of new products using historical data

• How to foster a culture of accountability and innovation
  • Focus on ‘Data’ and building ‘Relationships’ across the Organization to drive positive change
  • Organizations always have differing Priorities - use Data & Value to drive alignment on the most important efforts

• Preston’s career reflections and advice for aspiring FinOps leaders

Whether you're scaling FinOps in a growing organization or refining your cost optimization strategy, this episode is packed with real-world lessons and leadership takeaways.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert interviews, FinOps best practices, and cloud cost optimization insights!

Quote of the Show:

• “Everybody is always interested in the cost optimization and savings, and there are many different metrics used across Information Technology, but the one common metric that everybody gets is Dollars. ” - Preston Tauscher

Connect with Preston:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestontauscher/ 
• Company website: https://www.avidxchange.com/ 

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f25a9d18-c12f-4ee4-93f5-2aa96e509b55 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finops-in-action/id1790497808 
• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/268443483/ 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/finops-in-action-5958339 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IpjMc3qxDXZAjic5Zq21t 
• Transistor: finopsinaction.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PointFiveCloudCostEfficiency

How can shifting FinOps left improve cost outcomes and cross-team collaboration?

In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Sonal Gupta, Senior Manager of FinOps and Cloud Hosting Services at Carlsberg, and a seasoned expert who’s spoken at events hosted by Sams Nordic, Gartner, and Microsoft. Sonal brings a global perspective to FinOps leadership and shares her approach to embedding cost awareness earlier in the development lifecycle.

Together, we dive into key topics, including:

• What it means to "shift left” in FinOps and why it’s critical for modern organizations

• Core priorities for FinOps leaders: cost savings, standardization, and improved collaboration

• How to build trust with engineering teams and drive accountability

• The industry-wide impact of FinOps practices across sectors

Whether you're new to FinOps or scaling a mature practice, this episode offers actionable insights from one of the industry's most thoughtful voices.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert interviews, FinOps best practices, and cloud cost optimization strategies!

Quote of the Show:

• “ If you provide engineers with that kind of transparency and data visibility, I think that will definitely help you push them indirectly. So just make it more fun, make it more exciting, make it more engaged.” - Sonal Gupta

Connect with Sonal:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonal-gupta-20793b22/ 
• Company website: http://www.carlsberggroup.com/ 

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f25a9d18-c12f-4ee4-93f5-2aa96e509b55 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finops-in-action/id1790497808 
• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/268443483/ 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/finops-in-action-5958339 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IpjMc3qxDXZAjic5Zq21t 
• Transistor: finopsinaction.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PointFiveCloudCostEfficiency

What does it take to lead and scale FinOps in one of the world’s largest global enterprises?

In this episode of FinOps in Action, I’m joined by Andrée Lundberg, FinOps Lead at H&M and FinOps Foundation Ambassador, who shares his experience managing cloud spend for a company with over 140,000 employees. Andrée discusses what it means to lead with vision, transition from running FinOps to driving it, and build effective relationships across engineering and leadership teams.

During our conversation, we explore key topics including:

• Why having a clear vision is critical to scaling FinOps in large organizations

• How to lead with influence and shift from reactive to proactive FinOps practices

• The importance of communication, collaboration, and executive buy-in

• How the FinOps Foundation plays a vital role in empowering practitioners

Andrée also shares his leadership philosophy, tips for navigating global FinOps challenges, and personal reflections on life in Sweden, his hobbies, and book recommendations.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert conversations on FinOps leadership, cloud financial strategy, and scalable cost optimization!

Quote of the Show:

• “If you start running FinOps, it's gonna stop with you. But if you drive FinOps, you're going to get people on board and you're going to see things scale.” - Andrée Lundberg

Connect with Andrée:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreelundberg/ 
• Company website: https://hmgroup.com/ 

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f25a9d18-c12f-4ee4-93f5-2aa96e509b55 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finops-in-action/id1790497808 
• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/268443483/ 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/finops-in-action-5958339 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IpjMc3qxDXZAjic5Zq21t 
• Transistor: finopsinaction.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PointFiveCloudCostEfficiency 

How is the FinOps Foundation evolving cloud financial management?

In this episode of FinOps in Action, I’m joined by J.R. Storment, Executive Director of the FinOps Foundation, who shares his journey from IT intern to startup founder to one of the most influential leaders in the FinOps community. J.R. discusses the origins and mission of the foundation, and how it continues to serve as a hub for practitioners, not vendors, in the ever-changing cloud landscape.

During our conversation, we dive into several key topics, including:

• The founding story of the FinOps Foundation and its practitioner-first approach

• How the foundation facilitates collaboration, updates best practices, and measures impact

• Why FinOps is expanding beyond cloud to address broader financial operations

• The role of community-driven standards in supporting scalable FinOps practices

J.R. also shares actionable advice for FinOps professionals looking to make a bigger impact, stay aligned with evolving practices, and contribute to the global FinOps community. Whether you're new to cloud financial management or a seasoned pro, this episode offers a unique perspective from one of the field’s most influential voices!

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert discussions on cloud financial operations, FinOps best practices, and strategies for scaling in large organizations!

Quote of the Show:

• “ The core definition of what FinOps is has changed… What we realized is it's not FinOps for this or FinOps for that. It's just FinOps.” - J.R. Storment

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrstorment/ 
• Website: https://www.finops.org/

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f25a9d18-c12f-4ee4-93f5-2aa96e509b55 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finops-in-action/id1790497808 
• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/268443483/ 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/finops-in-action-5958339 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IpjMc3qxDXZAjic5Zq21t 
• Transistor: finopsinaction.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PointFiveCloudCostEfficiency

How can engineering-led FinOps drive smarter cloud cost strategies?

In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Caleb Hurd, Principal Consultant at CostOps.Cloud, who shares his unique journey from carpentry to cloud architecture and FinOps consulting. Caleb offers a fresh perspective on the evolving FinOps landscape, advocating for a more engineering-led approach to cloud financial operations.

Together, we dive into key topics, including:

• Why FinOps should be driven by engineers, not finance teams, for more effective outcomes

• The importance of balancing technical innovation with financial accountability

• Actionable tips for optimizing cloud costs and improving collaboration across teams

• How real-world engineering experience shapes smarter FinOps practices

Whether you're a FinOps practitioner, cloud engineer, or curious about the intersection of finance and tech, this episode is packed with real-world advice and practical strategies.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert interviews, FinOps best practices, and cloud cost optimization insights!

Quote of the Show:

• “I think that the industry's gotten it wrong. I don't think FinOps should roll up to finance, and I don't think it should be predominantly financial people doing it. I think that FinOps practitioners should be engineers by trade who happen to delve in the FinOps.” - Caleb Hurd

Connect with Caleb:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebrhurd/ 
• Company website: https://www.costops.cloud/ 

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f25a9d18-c12f-4ee4-93f5-2aa96e509b55 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finops-in-action/id1790497808 
• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/268443483/ 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/finops-in-action-5958339 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IpjMc3qxDXZAjic5Zq21t 
• Transistor: finopsinaction.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PointFiveCloudCostEfficiency 

How can dashboards, automation & collaboration advance FinOps maturity in the enterprise?

In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Ron Stein, IT Manager of Cloud FinOps at ZS, to explore how data empowerment, automation, and strategic tooling can elevate FinOps practices across an organization.

Ron shares his unconventional path from radio DJ and commercial photographer to FinOps leader, and breaks down the priorities that matter most to FinOps teams today—including transparency, stakeholder enablement, and cloud cost accountability.

We cover key topics including:

• Why Power BI was chosen to build scalable, cost-effective FinOps dashboards

• How automation has streamlined chargeback, allocation, and reporting processes

• The role of budget alerts and anomaly detection in proactive cloud cost management

• Embedding FinOps into the Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) to improve collaboration and drive culture change

If you're in cloud cost management, FinOps, or cloud strategy, this episode is packed with insights to help you scale smart and collaborate better.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert discussions on cloud financial operations, FinOps best practices, and strategies for scaling in large organizations!

Quote of the Show:

• “ First we need to figure out what we need to do, turn it into a process, and then automate as much as possible. ” - Ron Stein

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-stein-48a455/ 
• Website: https://www.zs.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f25a9d18-c12f-4ee4-93f5-2aa96e509b55 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finops-in-action/id1790497808 
• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/268443483/ 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/finops-in-action-5958339 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IpjMc3qxDXZAjic5Zq21t 
• Transistor: finopsinaction.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PointFiveCloudCostEfficiency

How can cultural shifts, executive alignment, and chargeback models elevate FinOps success?

In this episode of FinOps in Action, we welcome two industry leaders—Polly Fabry, Senior Director of Enterprise Architecture & Strategy, and Prasshant Sharrma, Global FinOps Lead at Sysco—as they share powerful strategies for transforming cloud financial operations at scale.

Together, Polly and Prasshant dive deep into the practical tactics they use to optimize cloud costs, foster financial accountability, and promote cross-functional transparency within their organizations.

In this insightful conversation, we explore key topics including:

• How to drive cultural shifts to embed financial responsibility across teams.

• The transition from showback to chargeback models for better financial governance.

• Engaging executive leadership to support and scale FinOps initiatives.

• Leveraging FinOps to improve cost containment, operational efficiency, and cloud optimization.

• The future of FinOps, including the role of AI and expanding practices beyond public cloud environments.

Polly and Prasshant also share real-world lessons from leading FinOps transformations in large enterprises, offering actionable insights for both seasoned practitioners and those just beginning their FinOps journey.

Whether you’re in cloud finance, architecture, operations, or leadership, this episode is packed with expert strategies to help you build a culture of cost-awareness and scale FinOps impact.

Subscribe for more expert interviews, FinOps best practices, and cloud cost optimization strategies to power your financial operations!

Quotes of the Show:

• “ Cloud optimization and cost containment become an important part of those leaders repertoire when they're responsible for the budget, so you see a significant change in the cloud spend because now they feel it.” - Polly Fabry

• “We make sure I'm actually meeting with the top leaders every day and learning about their challenges and their business goals… We had a clear execution plan, and when certain things were coming from the top leadership, then engineers started taking action.” - Prasshant Sharrma

Connect with Polly & Prasshant:

• Polly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pollyfabry/
• Prasshant’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasshantsharrma/  
• Company website: https://www.sysco.com 

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f25a9d18-c12f-4ee4-93f5-2aa96e509b55 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finops-in-action/id1790497808 
• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/268443483/ 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/finops-in-action-5958339 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IpjMc3qxDXZAjic5Zq21t 
• Transistor: finopsinaction.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PointFiveCloudCostEfficiency 

How can strategic FinOps leadership drive product-centric optimization in enterprise organizations?

In this episode of FinOps in Action, I’m joined by Ashley Hromatko—one of the original trailblazers in the FinOps space. From building one of the first and largest FinOps teams at Pearson to her influential work at the FinOps Foundation, Ashley has been at the forefront of redefining cloud financial operations. Now serving as the FinOps product lead at Corteva, she brings a wealth of experience in aligning FinOps with product strategy.

Ashley shares deep insights into what today’s FinOps leaders need to prioritize, particularly the power of understanding the products being built and forming tight partnerships with product owners. Her unique journey from project management to FinOps leadership offers a blueprint for building scalable, savings-driven cloud strategies in complex environments.

During our conversation, we dive into key topics, including:

• Why successful FinOps starts with understanding the product and engaging cross-functional stakeholders early

• How to drive meaningful cost optimization by shifting from a reactive to proactive FinOps mindset

• The evolving role of FinOps in large-scale organizations and the impact of culture on adoption

• Ashley’s personal journey in FinOps and her contributions to the global FinOps Foundation community

Ashley also shares practical advice for FinOps professionals looking to build strong practices, collaborate better with engineering and finance, and drive true business value through optimization.

Whether you’re a FinOps practitioner, product manager, or cloud cost leader—this episode offers actionable strategies to elevate your FinOps game.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights on FinOps, cloud cost governance, and cloud strategy for enterprise success!

Quote of the Show:

• “ You have to also understand the dynamics of how the teams are established because I'm gonna be putting recommendations on an engineering backlog that is prioritized by that product owner, right? And so I have to be friendly, otherwise my things are not gonna get prioritized.” - Ashley Hromatko

Connect with Ashley:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-hromatko/ 
• Company website: http://www.corteva.com/ 

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f25a9d18-c12f-4ee4-93f5-2aa96e509b55 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finops-in-action/id1790497808 
• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/268443483/ 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/finops-in-action-5958339 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IpjMc3qxDXZAjic5Zq21t 
• Transistor: finopsinaction.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PointFiveCloudCostEfficiency 

How Can Curiosity, Automation, and Team Culture Shape the Future of FinOps?

In this episode of FinOps in Action, I’m joined by Mike Routier, Cloud FinOps Manager at Choice Hotels International, who brings over 20 years of experience and deep insights into building a sustainable and strategic FinOps practice within a large enterprise.

Mike shares the key priorities for modern FinOps leaders—from staying curious in a fast-evolving cloud environment to building strong relationships with engineering teams and leveraging automation for greater strategic impact. He also highlights how fostering a supportive work culture and using KPIs can transform how organizations manage cloud costs and operations.

During our conversation, we explore several essential topics, including:

• Why curiosity is a critical skill for FinOps practitioners in today’s dynamic cloud landscape
• The power of automation to reduce manual effort and focus on high-impact, strategic initiatives
• How cross-functional collaboration with engineers strengthens cloud cost optimization
• Creating a culture of support, accountability, and continuous learning within FinOps teams
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive visibility and better cloud financial outcomes
• Mike’s perspective on the future role of AI in FinOps and cloud operations

Mike also opens up about his professional journey at Choice Hotels, the evolution of his FinOps team, and the real-world challenges and successes of managing cloud financials at scale. Whether you're a FinOps pro, cloud engineer, or tech leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you drive value, efficiency, and innovation in your cloud strategy.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert discussions on cloud financial operations, FinOps best practices, and strategies for scaling in large organizations!

Quote of the Show:

“I'm not stopping behavior. I'm gonna make sure we're always modernizing and scaling in the cloud and having a good time at the same time.” - Mike Routier

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-routier/ 
• Website: http://www.choicehotels.com

Ways to Tune In:

• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f25a9d18-c12f-4ee4-93f5-2aa96e509b55 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finops-in-action/id1790497808 
• iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/268443483/ 
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/finops-in-action-5958339 
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IpjMc3qxDXZAjic5Zq21t 
• Transistor: finopsinaction.com 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PointFiveCloudCostEfficiency