Shows
FinOps in ActionWhy Cloud Efficiency Is More Than Just Right-Sizing ft. Rick Triana, IHG Hotels | Ep #53Can developing soft skills like communication and conflict resolution accelerate FinOps maturity faster than tooling?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Cloud FinOps Manager at IHG Hotels & Resorts, Rick Triana, to explore why cost savings are actually the smallest part of FinOps, and why focusing on “spend reduction” can stunt your FinOps maturity.Rick shares how he evolved from treating FinOps as a cost-cutting function to building a value-driven program rooted in leadership, communication, and accountability. He explains why most right-sizing recommendations fail, how to a...
2026-01-2243 min
FinOps in ActionDisrupting Cloud Chaos ft. Jarred Clore, Cisco | Ep #52What does FinOps look like at massive enterprise scale?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Jarred Clore, Cloud FinOps Delivery Leader at Cisco and the first AWS hire focused on cloud cost optimization. Jarred shares candid stories from his early days helping Fortune 500 companies navigate cloud cost shock (including getting yelled at by customers) and the hard lessons he learned about culture, executive sponsorship, and the limits of “hoping for the best.”He breaks down why rate optimization often beats...
2026-01-1540 min
FinOps in ActionWhy Automation Without Governance Breaks FinOps (And How to Fix It) ft. Zak Ali, Invesco | Ep #51Can FinOps really be automated? Or do humans still need to stay in the loop?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Zak Ali, Global Lead for Cloud FinOps and Cloud Modernization at Invesco.Zak unpacked the real-world risks of over-automation, why “humans in the loop” still matter, and how to drive FinOps adoption without mandates or chargeback.With over 20 years of experience in technology and cloud transformation, Zak shares hard-earned lessons from automation gone wrong, plus the unconventional strategies he’s...
2026-01-0838 min
FinOps in ActionRe-Air: Data Visibility, Collaboration & Optimizing Spend ft. Dann Berg, Squarespace | Ep # 50What does it really take to drive action in FinOps…. without chasing engineers?In this re-air episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Dann Berg, Cloud FinOps Lead at Squarespace, to revisit one of our most practical and mindset-shifting conversations. Dann shares how the most effective FinOps teams create accountability without micromanagement, shorten feedback loops for engineers, and build trust across engineering, finance, and leadership.Whether you’re building a FinOps practice from scratch or trying to move beyond reactive cost optimization, this conversation offers a timeless blue...
2025-12-3038 min
FinOps in ActionTop 4 Insights Every FinOps Leader Needs Going into 2026 ft. Alon Arvatz | Ep #49What did the world’s top FinOps practitioners learn in 2025? What should you change in your practice heading into 2026?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down to talk through key takeaways from 2025. I look back on dozens of interviews with FinOps leaders across industries to surface the four most repeated and most impactful insights from this year. Whether you’re scaling a new FinOps practice or leveling up a mature one, these insights will help you drive deeper engineering alignment, stronger executive support, and more business value in 2026. Her...
2025-12-2310 min
FinOps in ActionShifting from Cost-Cutting to Business Value for Executive Buy-in | Compilation | Ep 48How do leading companies shift FinOps from cost-cutting to strategic business value?In this special compilation episode of FinOps in Action, we tackle one of the toughest challenges facing FinOps programs: showing business value to gain executive buy-in for the FinOps program.Featuring:Emily Cornock - Suncorp GroupZach Johnson - SplunkTammy Burnitt - UiPathErik Norman - British AirwaysAmy Race - Citizens BankThese experts share how they tackle the shift from simple cost-cutting to value-showing. From drafting elevator...
2025-12-1824 min
FinOps in ActionDeath by Dashboard: Why FinOps Needs Stories, Not More Charts ft. Gilad Katz, Riskified | Ep #47Is “death by dashboard” holding your FinOps program back more than you realize?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Gilad Katz, FinOps Lead at Riskified, to explore why world-class FinOps isn’t about knowing every technical detail or pushing engineers to make changes; it’s about neutrality, trust, and telling the right story with data.Gilad describes the moment he realized that trying to “know everything” in cloud infrastructure was slowing him down and why the real turning point in his career happened when he shifted from feeling pressure to...
2025-12-1141 min
FinOps in ActionWhy People Skills Matter More Than Dashboards in FinOps ft. Zach Johnson, Splunk | Ep #46How do you turn FinOps from a reporting function into part of the company’s operating system?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Zach Johnson, Head of FinOps & Cloud Platforms at Splunk to unpack why world-class FinOps isn’t about dashboards or reports, it’s about business value, executive alignment, and proactive decision-making.Zach shares how one of his earliest lessons in FinOps was realizing that “presenting data isn’t the same as solving the problem.” That insight shaped the way he approaches communication with engineering, finance, and...
2025-12-0444 min
FinOps in ActionStop Treating FinOps Like a One-Time Project ft. Borja Martínez, NTT DATA Inc. | Ep #45Are you treating FinOps like a one-time project instead of an ongoing value engine?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Borja Martínez, EMEA FinOps Lead at NTT DATA Inc, to explore why successful FinOps starts with understanding your company’s business context, not just its cloud bill.Borja shared how his unconventional path from 12 years as a professional basketball player to FinOps leader shaped the way he views teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement. He explains why two companies with the same cloud footprint may...
2025-11-2627 min
FinOps in ActionWhy Cost Optimization Isn’t the Goal – Value Is ft. Erik Norman, British Airways | Ep #44Is “cost optimization” the wrong goal for FinOps?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Erik Norman, FinOps Lead at British Airways, to unpack why true FinOps maturity isn’t about cutting costs, it’s about creating value.Erik shared how a disastrous “do not delete” incident early in his FinOps career shaped his philosophy: that understanding business context and risk matters more than chasing quick savings.He also explains why tagging isn’t a strategy, why executive sponsorship makes or breaks FinO...
2025-11-2044 min
FinOps in ActionHow to Win Buy-In for FinOps: From Resistance to Results ft. Tammy Burnitt, UiPath | Ep #43Can empathy, sales skills, and gamification be the secret to driving FinOps success?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Tammy Burnitt, Director of FinOps at UiPath. Tammy discussed her 25 years of experience in IT and capacity management and how she founded the FinOps program during her time at Shell.Tammy shared how she transformed resistance into engagement, proving that FinOps success is as much about people and persuasion as it is about data and dollars.We also covered the...
2025-11-1338 min
FinOps in ActionFinOps Made Fun: Leaderboards, Badges, & Cloud Savings ft. Amy Race, Citizens Bank | Ep 42Can enforcing a simple tagging strategy transform your entire FinOps program?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Amy Race, Head of Infrastructure, Cost Management, and Cloud FinOps at Citizens Bank, to dive into how her company moved 99% to the cloud.Amy shared how her team went from inconsistent tagging and cloud chaos to a structured, scalable FinOps practice. She explains how clear ownership, executive buy-in, and automation helped enforce a 100% tagging policy.We also covered how making FinOps fun...
2025-11-0633 min
FinOps in ActionBuilding FinOps into the DNA of AI & Data Platforms ft. Emily Cornock, Suncorp | Ep 41How do you balance cost optimization, business value, and innovation in the age of AI?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Emily Cornock, Executive Manager of Core Data Platforms and Cloud FinOps at Suncorp Group, to explore how her team is embedding FinOps principles into everything they build — from data platforms to AI systems.Emily shares her journey from early cloud adoption to becoming a FinOps leader, including how she shifted conversations from “why is it costing so much?” to “what value are we getting from this?”We also discu...
2025-10-3042 min
FinOps in ActionHow FinOps Training Builds Stronger Cloud Teams ft. Idaliz Baez, RealOps | Ep 40What does good FinOps look like inside a large engineering organization?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sit down with Idaliz Baez, Founder and Director of RealOps, who has one of the most fascinating journeys into FinOps — from contamination engineer at NASA to FinOps instructor and leader.Idaliz has trained more than 200 FinOps practitioners worldwide and brings a unique perspective on how education and awareness can unlock collaboration across engineering, finance, and procurement teams.We dive into:How a NASA engineer found her way into FinOpsWhy fo...
2025-10-2328 min
FinOps in ActionHow to Drive FinOps Awareness Without Slowing Teams Down ft. Tom Cross, Aer Lingus | Ep 39What does good FinOps look like inside a large engineering organization?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Tom Cross, FinOps Lead at Aer Lingus and a member of the FinOps Foundation Technical Advisory Council, to talk about building FinOps culture, engaging engineers, and shaping the global FinOps framework.Tom shared how he transitioned from software engineering to FinOps leadership, why optimization became his passion, and how he balances governance with empathy to drive adoption without slowing delivery.We also discussed what’s next for the FinOps Framework, how us...
2025-10-1631 min
FinOps in ActionBuild vs. Buy: Choosing the Right FinOps Tools ft. Peter Crenshaw, IEM | Ep 38Should you build your own FinOps tool or buy one?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Peter Crenshaw, Manager of FinOps and M&A at IEM, to unpack one of the biggest questions I hear from FinOps leaders everywhere: when does it make sense to build, and when should you buy?Peter shared his journey leading FinOps at UKG and IEM, including what he learned from building an in-house FinOps platform and why simplicity, scalability, and resource awareness matter more than any feature list.We also...
2025-10-0932 min
FinOps in ActionBehind the Scenes of FinOps in Action for National Podcast Day ft. Alon Arvatz | BONUS EPISODEIs hosting a podcast really just about questions and prep work or is it more about building a community, elevating leaders, and learning to listen?In this special bonus live stream for National Podcast Day, I, Alon Arvatz, stepped into the guest seat to be interviewed by Casey Cheshire. After nearly 50 hours of conversations, I shared my journey and my biggest takeaways from interviewing top FinOps leaders this year.We explored the core of what FinOps truly is and what it takes to drive action:The FinOps Mandate: I explained why the official...
2025-10-0719 min
FinOps in ActionManaging Commitments, Anomalies & Regulations in FinOps ft. Gordon Douglass, SAP NS2 | Ep 37What does FinOps look like in highly regulated industries — and why is speed so critical when managing commitments and anomalies?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Gordon Douglass, VP of Cloud Assets & Risk Management at SAP NS2, to talk about the real-world challenges of running FinOps in government and enterprise-scale environments.Gordon shares why commitments are one of the scariest parts of FinOps, how to balance anomaly detection with meaningful action, and what it means to wear “many hats” as a FinOps leader. He also explains how regulations, procurement, and engine...
2025-10-0227 min
FinOps in ActionFinOps Negotiation, Procurement & Tagging Compliance ft. Tim Nolan, DataRobot | Ep 36Is FinOps only about cloud usage optimization or does it go deeper?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I was joined by Tim Nolan, Senior FinOps Engineer at DataRobot, who saved over $1M in AWS costs in just four months and achieved 99% tagging compliance.Tim shares his journey from engineering to IT finance to FinOps, and why negotiation skills, procurement partnerships, and tagging discipline are just as critical to FinOps success as cloud cost visibility. He explains how to approach AWS renewals, build efficiency projects that scale, and why engineers and FinOps must work...
2025-09-2533 min
FinOps in ActionFinOps vs TBM: Governance, Shadow IT & Enterprise Cloud Costs ft. Peter Brauer, T-Mobile | Ep 35Is cloud always the right move? And what happens when governance is missing?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Peter Brauer, Senior Enterprise Architect at T-Mobile, who has led FinOps governance frameworks responsible for over $150M in savings.Peter shares lessons from his transition from TBM (Technology Business Management) to FinOps, and why shadow IT has become one of the most overlooked yet critical costs in the cloud era. He explains why governance isn’t just rules but remediation and flexibility, and why not everything belongs in the cloud despite th...
2025-09-1831 min
FinOps in ActionMeasuring Business Value in FinOps & Getting Engineers Onboard ft. Swapna Samuel, BMO | Ep 34How do you build a FinOps practice that actually engages engineers, delivers business value, and grows with the help of the community?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Swapna Samuel, Head of FinOps and Clarity Business Management at BMO and FinOps Foundation Ambassador, to explore how culture, collaboration, and community have been key drivers in her FinOps journey.Swapna shares how joining the FinOps Foundation helped her avoid common pitfalls, why engaging engineers with transparency and the “why” is crucial, and how BMO uses office hours to create a safe spac...
2025-09-1134 min
FinOps in ActionWhy FinOps Fails Without Governance & Culture ft. Ben de Mora, Former GitLab | Ep 33Is FinOps really just about dashboards and tools, or is it more about people, culture, and governance?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Ben de Mora, former FinOps Lead at GitLab, to explore how FinOps needs to evolve beyond tooling into governance, collaboration, and product management thinking.Ben shares his unique journey from security and engineering into FinOps, and explains why champions programs, federated FinOps models, and executive sponsorship are essential for success at scale. He also dives into how sustainability metrics can engage engineers, and why policies and governance...
2025-09-0439 min
FinOps in ActionThere Are More FinOps Career Paths Than You Think ft. Taylor Houck, PointFive | Ep 32Where can a FinOps career take you? And how do the roles differ between small companies, global enterprises, and vendors?In this special episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Taylor Houck, FinOps Specialist and co-creator of the Cloud Efficiency Hub at PointFive, to trace his career journey across the FinOps landscape: starting as a practitioner at a mid-sized company, scaling cost optimization at NBCUniversal, and now working on the vendor side.Taylor shares the pros and cons of each career path, what he learned along the way, and how the FinOps role...
2025-08-2833 min
FinOps in ActionHow Global Companies Engage Engineers & Build FinOps Culture | Compilation | Ep 31How do leading global companies engage engineers in FinOps and build a sustainable culture of cloud efficiency?In this special compilation episode of FinOps in Action, we bring together insights from FinOps leaders at Choice Hotels International, Sysco, Under Armour, and Carlsberg Group.Featuring:Mike Routier - Choice Hotels InternationalSonal Gupta - Carlsberg GroupAmy Ashby - Under ArmourPrasshant Sharma & Polly Fabry - SyscoThese experts share how they’ve built trust with engineering teams, reduced cloud waste, and created a culture where FinOps thrives. From communication strategies and gamification to ac...
2025-08-2127 min
FinOps in ActionFinOps Isn’t a Solo Job & Why Partnerships Matter ft. TJ Johnson, MGM Resorts International | Ep 30How do you build a FinOps practice that balances cloud cost optimization, sustainability, and deep cross-functional engagement?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I am joined by TJ Johnson, Lead Architect for Platform Economics at MGM Resorts International. With over 25 years in IT and 15 years focused on public cloud and optimization, TJ shares a refreshing look at what really drives impact in FinOps—from relationship-building and soft skills to sustainability reporting and unit economics.TJ breaks down how to move from KPI-driven thinking to momentum-based KMI frameworks, why partnership language changes FinOps co...
2025-08-1437 min
FinOps in ActionFrom Cloud Waste to Engineering Empowerment ft. Sridhar Ayala, Adobe | Ep 29How do you scale FinOps in a way that actually engages engineers, reduces waste, and drives cloud efficiency without sacrificing velocity?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Sridhar Ayala, Director of FinOps at Adobe, to explore how Adobe approaches FinOps at scale—shifting the focus from just cost savings to enabling engineering efficiency, reducing waste, and expanding margin.Sridhar shares Adobe’s unique FinOps strategy, including how they define waste as "unintentional spend," how they use gamification and marketing to drive adoption, and why understanding engineering context is crit...
2025-08-0741 min
FinOps in ActionBuilding a Cost-Aware Engineering Culture ft. Matan Ben-Ishay, Credit Karma | Ep 28FinOps isn’t just about tools—it’s about culture, structure, and long-term trust.In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Matan Ben-Ishay, FP&A, Engineering at Credit Karma, to explore what it really takes to build a cost-aware engineering culture and scale FinOps sustainably across an organization.Matan shares his approach to balancing developer velocity with cloud governance, managing GCP commitments strategically, and why FinOps can’t live only in finance or engineering—it needs both.We discuss:Why trust and education are more effective...
2025-07-3138 min
FinOps in ActionWhy FinOps Needs to Think Like Security ft. Victoria Levy, Alteryx | Ep 27FinOps isn’t just about saving money — it’s about managing financial risk.In this episode of FinOps in Action, I’m joined by Victoria Levy, FinOps Engineering Lead at Alteryx, to explore how FinOps teams can learn from security, prioritize cost optimization alongside engineering, and get serious about forecasting cloud and SaaS spend.Victoria shares her journey from physics to FinOps, lessons learned working with engineering and product teams, and why organizations should stop calling it "cost optimization" and start treating it like a "risk to the budget."You’ll hear:...
2025-07-2428 min
FinOps in ActionThe Cost of Bad Tagging in Cloud FinOps ft. Sherri Wooldridge, Carnival | FinOps in Action | Ep 26How can strong tagging practices make or break your FinOps strategy?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Sherri Wooldridge, Manager of Cloud FinOps at Carnival Cruise Lines and former FinOps lead at 3M, to explore the foundational role of data classification and tagging in cloud cost management. Sherri shares early lessons from her FinOps career, explains why weak tagging can derail M&A activity, and stresses the importance of aligning with finance teams on how costs are tracked and reported.Together, we dive into key topics, including:Why scalable...
2025-07-1731 min
FinOps in ActionLaunching Enterprise FinOps at Scale ft. Scott Linn, Chevron | FinOps in Action | Ep 25How can enterprise FinOps drive change across cloud, culture, and leadership?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Scott Linn, Cloud and Services Optimization Manager at Chevron, who shares how he helped launch the company’s first FinOps function after decades in cloud operations. Scott reflects on the mindset shifts, executive support, and automation strategies that helped Chevron turn FinOps into a company-wide responsibility.Together, we dive into key topics, including:Why executive buy-in is critical for starting and scaling FinOpsHow Chevron automated VM shutdowns and leveraged Po...
2025-07-1037 min
FinOps in ActionWhy FinOps Isn’t Just for Cloud Anymore ft. Alex Landis & Simar Arora, Snowflake | Ep 24How is FinOps evolving to meet the rising challenge of data spend management?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Alex Landis, Senior Finance Manager, and Simar Aurora, Value Engineer at Snowflake, to explore how FinOps is being applied to the fast-growing world of data usage and cost optimization. Together, they share how Snowflake’s internal FinOps practices—like “Snowflake on Snowflake”—help improve visibility, efficiency, and scalability for both their teams and customers.Together, we dive into key topics, including:How FinOps at Snowflake is structured across distinct verticalsWhy...
2025-07-0334 min
FinOps in ActionWhy FinOps Is More Than Just Data ft. Amy Ashby, Under Armour | FinOps in Action | Ep 23How can FinOps culture shift cost from a finance problem to an engineering mindset?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I sat down with Amy Ashby, FinOps and Software Asset Management Lead at Under Armour, who shares her journey from IT data centers to cloud infrastructure and FinOps leadership. Amy unpacks the realities of building a FinOps practice from scratch—and why presenting data alone isn’t enough to inspire change.Together, we dive into key topics, including:Why building a FinOps culture is essential for long-term cloud cost accountabilityThe deba...
2025-06-2637 min
FinOps in ActionAutomating FinOps & Earning Engineers Trust ft. Diana Lezcano, Digital.ai | FinOps in Action | Ep 22How 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 automationReal-world examples of cloud cleanup efforts, from Elastic IPs to EBS volumes
2025-06-1930 min
FinOps in ActionOptimizing Costs with Tagging & Metrics ft. Preston Tauscher, AvidXchange | FinOps in Action | Ep 21How 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 excellenceThe importance of metrics-based management and...
2025-06-1237 min
FinOps in ActionShifting FinOps Left for Smarter Cloud Spend ft. Sonal Gupta, Carlsberg | FinOps in Action | Ep 20How 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...
2025-06-0539 min
FinOps in ActionScaling FinOps at the Global Enterprise Level ft. Andrée Lundberg, H&M | FinOps in Action | Ep 19What 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 critic...
2025-05-2933 min
FinOps in ActionBuilding the FinOps Community ft. J.R. Storment, FinOps Foundation | FinOps in Action | Ep 18How 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 Fo...
2025-05-2139 min
FinOps in ActionWhy Engineers Should Be Leading FinOps ft. Caleb Hurd, CostOps.Cloud | FinOps in Action | Ep 17How 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 outcomesThe importance of balancing technical innovation with financial accountability
2025-05-1432 min
FinOps in ActionHow Curiosity & Automation Power Success ft. Ron Stein, ZS | FinOps in Action | Ep 16How 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 bu...
2025-05-0724 min
FinOps in ActionChargeback & FinOps Culture ft. Polly Fabry & Prasshant Sharrma, Sysco | FinOps in Action | Ep 15How 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 shif...
2025-04-3037 min
FinOps in ActionAligning Product & FinOps for Success ft. Ashley Hromatko, Corteva | FinOps in Action | Ep 14How 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 leader...
2025-04-2333 min
FinOps in ActionHow Curiosity & Automation Power Success ft. Mike Routier, Choice Hotels | FinOps in Action | Ep 13How 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...
2025-04-1636 min
FinOps in ActionLeveraging FinOps for Massive Cloud Savings ft. Larry Advey, Twilio | FinOps in Action | Ep 12How Can FinOps Leadership Drive Multi-Million Dollar Savings and Optimize Cloud Costs?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I’m joined by Larry Advey, Senior Manager of FinOps at Twilio, who shares his expertise on managing complex cloud financial operations and saving over $70 million in just three years. Larry discusses the critical role of communication and collaboration in FinOps, emphasizing the need for alignment between leadership and engineering teams to drive both short-term and long-term cost savings.During our conversation, we cover key topics such as:How proactive communication between stakeholders can op...
2025-04-0941 min
FinOps in ActionScaling Cloud with Proactive FinOps Strategies ft. Adnan Gul, S&P Global | FinOps in Action | Ep 11How Can Proactive FinOps and Cloud Strategy Drive Success in Large-Scale Organizations?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I’m joined by Adnan Gal, Director of Cloud and Platform Reliability Engineering at S&P Global, who shares his expert insights on the evolving role of FinOps in cloud engineering. Adnan highlights the importance of shifting from reactive to proactive FinOps, incorporating it from the design phase to achieve sustainable scaling. He dives into the key priorities for FinOps leaders, particularly in large organizations, and discusses the challenges of balancing cost management with security, governance, an...
2025-04-0237 min
FinOps in ActionWaste Management & Business Value ft. Anderson Oliveira, Zephyr Globe | FinOps in Action | Ep 10How can cloud cost optimization, business value-driven FinOps strategies, and cultural transformation enhance financial operations in the cloud?In this episode, I’m joined by Anderson Oliveira, a seasoned FinOps consultant and the founder of Zephyr Globe, who shares his expertise on maximizing business value through cloud investments and optimizing FinOps. Anderson discusses the shift from a cost-saving mindset to a value-driven approach in cloud financial management and the strategies organizations can implement to drive efficiency.During our conversation, we dive into several key topics, including:The importance of focusing on business va...
2025-03-2639 min
FinOps in ActionOptimize for Max Cloud Efficiency & Savings ft. Jason DiDomenico, Discover | FinOps in Action | Ep 9How can waste management, automation, and business value optimization drive success in FinOps?In this episode, I’m joined by Jason DiDomenico, Director of FinOps at Discover Financial Services, who shares his decade of experience in cloud financial management, IT leadership, solution architecture, and FinOps best practices. Jason emphasizes the importance of frugality and balancing cost savings with delivering maximum business value for end customers.During our conversation, we cover several key topics, including:Categorizing and automating waste cleanup to boost cloud efficiency and reduce unnecessary spending.Why FinOps optimization isn’t just about slas...
2025-03-1934 min
FinOps in ActionHow Trust & Collaboration Can Optimize Cost ft. Angel Alves, Saint-Gobain | FinOps in Action | Ep 8How can human relationships, cloud cost optimization, and soft skills shape the future of FinOps practices?In this episode, I’m joined by Angel Alves, Senior Manager of Cloud FinOps at Saint-Gobain and FinOps Foundation Ambassador. Angel shares valuable insights into the importance of prioritizing human relationships in FinOps and how soft skills like communication and empathy can significantly enhance collaboration within teams and with cloud providers.We dive into several key topics, including:The role of soft skills in building trust and fostering effective relationships within FinOps teams.Practical strategies for engaging engineers an...
2025-03-1238 min
FinOps in ActionHow to Drive Success Through Trust & Strategy ft. Chase Bennett, Comcast | FinOps in Action | Ep 7How Can Building Trust and Effective Cloud Strategy Shape FinOps Success?In this episode of FinOps in Action, I’m joined by Chase Bennett, the Director of Cloud FinOps and Capacity Management at Comcast, who shares his invaluable insights on the key priorities for FinOps practitioners in large organizations. Chase talks about his journey from consulting to FinOps, the challenges of working with multi-disciplinary teams, and how building trust and a strategic cloud cost management approach can truly shape an organization’s cloud strategy.During our conversation, we dive into several essential topics, incl...
2025-03-0531 min
FinOps in ActionHow to Align Engineering with Business Value ft. Mike Rosenberg, Nubank | FinOps in Action | Ep 6How can cloud cost management, engineering culture, and business value alignment drive efficiency in organizations?In this episode, I’m joined by Mike Rosenberg, Senior Director of Engineering at Nubank, who shares his journey from software engineering to accounting and his approach to fostering efficiency in cloud cost management. Mike dives into the importance of educating engineers on business value and the strategies he uses to balance cost, business priorities, and cloud resources.During our conversation, we explore several key topics, including:The role of engineers in understanding business value and how it...
2025-02-2629 min
FinOps in ActionHow to Optimize FinOps & Cut Costs Effectively! ft. Puja Kosarkar, Epsilon | FinOps in Action | Ep 5How can Six Sigma methodologies, cloud cost optimization, and continuous learning drive efficiency in FinOps practices across multi-cloud environments?In this episode, I’m joined by Puja Kosarkar, Director of Cloud FinOps at Epsilon, who shares her expertise on leveraging Six Sigma principles to streamline cloud financial operations (FinOps). Puja discusses how applying these methodologies can lead to significant cost savings, improved invoice validation, and enhanced efficiency within cloud environments.During our conversation, we dive into several key topics, including:How to optimize cloud costs through the elimination of wastage rather than focusing solely on...
2025-02-1932 min
FinOps in ActionCloud Cost Optimization & Empathy ft. Hunter Harris, Pegasystems | FinOps in Action | Ep 4What does it take to optimize cloud costs while balancing the technical, financial, and human elements of FinOps?In this episode, I’m joined by Hunter Harris, Senior Manager of Cloud FinOps at Pegasystems. With a proven track record at companies like Pegasystems, Black Mountain Systems, and Outview Systems, Hunter shares his expertise on navigating the complex world of cloud cost optimization and FinOps.We dive into key topics, including:The importance of understanding cloud usage and optimizing costs with empathy.Strategic priorities for FinOps practitioners and balancing attention to detail with driving im...
2025-02-1240 min
A Product Market Fit Show | Startup Podcast for FoundersHe exited for $335M—& felt "emptiness". So he quit, gave up millions in earnout, & grew to $1M ARR in 6 months. | Alon Arvatz, Founder of IntSights & PointFiveAlon was a hacker for the Israeli Defence Forces' cyber department. There he saw the most advanced methods used in cyber warfare. So when he left, he started IntSights-- a company that helped enterprises defend themselves from cyber attacks. He was a first-time founder who didn't even know the word 'unicorn'. He made all the mistakes you could make. But he had real, undeniable pull. He grew to $1M ARR in a year and to $4M a year later. By the end of it, he was doing $30M in revenue and exited for $335M.But...
2025-02-1051 min
FinOps in ActionDriving Cost-Conscious Cloud Operations ft. Bindu Sharma, Teradata | FinOps in Action | Ep 3What does it take to drive a cost-conscious culture in cloud operations while aligning financial, technical, and business goals?In this episode, I’m joined by Bindu Sharma, Senior Director of Cloud Financial Operations at Teradata and a prominent advocate of FinOps. Bindu shares her expertise on navigating the challenges of cloud cost management and the critical role FinOps plays in aligning organizational goals with financial efficiency.We dive into key topics, including:The importance of aligning FinOps practices with business goals to drive organizational success.How to foster collaboration between engineers, stakeholders, and fi...
2025-02-0536 min
FinOps in ActionCommunication and Cost Optimization in FinOps ft. Mike Graff, Dolby Labs | FinOps in Action | Ep 2What does it take to successfully manage cloud costs while aligning technical, financial, and business goals?In this episode, I’m joined by Mike Graff, an IT veteran with over 30 years of experience and the Infrastructure Architecture Director at Dolby Laboratories. Mike brings a wealth of knowledge on navigating the intersection of FinOps and engineering, offering unique insights into how to tackle the toughest challenges in cloud cost management.We dive into key topics, including:Why technical skills, business acumen, and communication are critical for FinOps success.The journey from tech to finance—how...
2025-01-2940 min
FinOps in ActionMastering Data Visibility & Optimizing Spend ft. Dann Berg, Squarespace | FinOps in Action | Ep 1How can cloud cost management, data visibility, and collaboration drive success in FinOps across engineering, finance, and leadership teams?I’m joined by Dann Berg, a leading FinOps expert and Cloud FinOps Lead at Squarespace. With his diverse background in tech journalism and even co-authoring plays, Dann offers a fresh perspective on the rapidly evolving field of Cloud Financial Operations (FinOps).During our conversation, we dive into several key topics, including:The importance of data visibility for effective cost management across different teams—engineers, finance, and senior leadership.How to shorten feedback loops and make...
2025-01-2238 min
FinOps in ActionFinOps in Action Trailer!Welcome to FinOps in Action! Join host, Alon Arvatz, Each week, as he sits down with FinOps experts to explore the toughest challenges between FinOps and Engineering. This show is brought to you by PointFive - empowering teams to optimize cloud costs with deep detection and remediation tools that drive action.
2025-01-1400 min
The Bearhug Experience(Funding Recap #32) Bearhug Recruiting's Early & Growth Stage Tech Startup Funding Recap! 11/18/24Here’s this week’s startup funding recap:
1. General Galactic, led by Halen Mattison, has raised an $8 million Seed funding round. General Galactic develops fossil-free fuel generation technology, transforming industrial CO2 waste streams into carbon-neutral natural gas.
2. Outbuild, led by Franco Giaquinto, has raised an $11 million Series A funding round. Outbuild provides scheduling and planning software for the construction industry, streamlining workflows with an integrated platform.
3. Vaulted Deep, led by Julia Reichelstein, has raised a $32.3 million Series A funding round. Vaulted Deep specializes in biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS), geologically sequestering organic wast...
2024-11-1915 min
Founder StoriezThe $350 Million Pivot: Alon Arvatz on Cloud, Family, and Changing the World | Alon Arvatz CEO PointFiveIn this episode, we talk with Alon Arvatz, tech entrepreneur and author. Alon, founder of PointFive, a company that helps manage cloud costs, shares his experiences and ideas. What You'll Hear: 1. Alon's Journey: Learn how Alon sold his first company, Insight, for $350 million and why he started PointFive. 2. Making an Impact: Why it's important to do more than just make money in business. 3. Family Life: How Alon balances work with family and teaches his kids about money and helping others. 4. Business Lessons: Tips on hiring good people, working with inves...
2024-10-081h 09
Invested by AlephAlon Arvatz on the Future of Israeli Cybersecurity, Exiting Multiple Companies, Leaving Money on the Table, and Making Financial Literacy AccessibleOn this episode of Invested, Michael hosts Alon Arvatz, the CEO & Co-founder of PointFive.PointFive is a leader in cloud cost management. Prior to that he co-founded IntSights, a cybersecurity and threat intelligence startup, and led it to a successful acquisition for $350M to Rapid7. He authored the book “The Battle for Your Computer” that depicts the success story of the Israeli cybersecurity industry. Alon is also involved in social impact, founding the non-profit "Kanfey Kesef" that promotes financial literacy.Please rate this episode 5 stars wherever you stream your podc...
2024-08-2858 min
The Conference Room with Simon LaderEp. 141 - Scale to Exit - A Story from the Other Side of Success
In this week's episode of The Conference Room, host Simon Lader sits down with Alon Arvatz, former co-founder of Insights, a cybersecurity vendor acquired by Rapid7 for $350 million. Alon shares his journey from childhood inspiration through his father's tech career to becoming a successful entrepreneur and investor in Israeli cybersecurity startups. He discusses the factors driving Israel's dominance in the cybersecurity industry, the challenges of starting and scaling a tech company, and the story behind the acquisition of Insights.
02:30 - Alon’s initial experiences with tech through his father's work.
03:5...
2024-07-0135 min
Code Story: Insights from Startup Tech LeadersS9 Bonus: Alon Arvatz, Pointfive & Author of Battle for Your ComputerAlon Arvatz has been in tech for a long time. Fun fact, he loved technology but hated computer science. After getting introduced to the industry by his father, he discovered that tech is not just computer science - which was a big relief. He is the author of a book called The Battle for your Computer, which highlights Israel and the growth of the global cybersecurity industry. Outside of tech and cybersecurity, he is married with 4 kids, and highlights that all things in life - family, startup, etc. - is a partnership between he and his wife. Their family...
2024-04-1129 min
#348 - Cracking the Code: Israel's Cyber Edge Explained (Alon Arvatz)If Tel Aviv is the Silicon Valley of the Middle East, AKA Silicon Wadi, cybersecurity is its beating heart. From the towering successes of Palo Alto Networks and Checkpoint to the relatively recent rise of Wiz, Israel stands as the undisputed leader in the realm of digital defense.
At the core of this technological powerhouse lies Unit 8200, Israel's legendary intelligence unit, known for honing the skills of some of the world's sharpest cyber minds. Graduates of 8200 venture into the entrepreneurial landscape, seeding the growth of Israel's cybersecurity sector with their expertise and innovation.
One of the things that truly sets...
2024-04-0450 min
The Tikvah PodcastMatti Friedman on Whether Israel Is Too Dependent on TechnologyIsrael is known for its advances in military technology, from the helmet-mounted displays of the newest fighter jets to the Iron Beam anti-missile defense system. (See this recent discussion with the military strategist and author Edward Luttwak about his new book on the subject, or this discussion with the entrepreneur Alon Arvatz about the cyber-specific dimension of Israeli defense.) But as with everything, there are always tradeoffs to technology. Those tradeoffs are the concern of the Israeli writer Matti Friedman, who recently published an essay in the Atlantic called "Israel Is Dangerously Dependent on Technology." Here, he speaks...
2023-12-2840 min
ModeX - Helping to build + grow technology companiesS1:E6 // Pioneering Cyber Security for SME's + the Importance of Adjustability + Adaptability when building Start-Ups.In this Episode of the ModeX podcast, we talk to Dor Eisner, the Co-Founder + CEO of Guardz!
Guardz set a mission of empowering #MSPs to secure and insure #SMBs with their AI-powered cybersecurity platform, which automates detection and response across multiple attack vectors.
Dor, talks to us about the Guardz journey so far, his own journey, how he see's the world of Cyber Security in time to come, and offers some valuable advice...
The 4 T's to build a successful venture!
- Team
- Technology
- TAM
2023-12-2118 min
Press Play On Your Day With A Award-Winning Full Audiobook.The Battle for Your Computer by Alon ArvatzPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/18448to listen full audiobooks.
Title: The Battle for Your Computer
Author: Alon Arvatz
Narrator: Mitch Crawford
Format: mp3
Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 10-17-23
Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 5 ratings
Genres: Security & Encryption
Publisher's Summary:
In The Battle for Your Computer: Israel and the Growth of the Global Cyber-Security Industry, Israeli Defense Force (IDF) cyberwarfare veteran and tech product leader Alon Arvatz examines the "why" and the "how" of the extraordinarily strong connection between Israel's elite cyber military unit and that country's booming offensive and defensive cybersecurity industry. In the book, you'll explore...
2023-10-1712h 32The Tikvah PodcastAlon Arvatz on Israel's Cyber-Security IndustryIsrael's success in military cyber-operations and cyber-security, from disrupting Iranian nuclear development to covert intelligence gathering, is well known. It has given birth to a cluster of companies that have made Tel Aviv a global hub for cyber-security. Alon Arvatz is CEO and co-founder of PointFive, a new cybersecurity start up based in Tel Aviv, and the author of a new book, The Battle for Your Computer: Israel and the Growth of the Global Cyber-Security Industry. With Mosaic editor Jonathan Silver, he talks here about some of the factors that make Israeli companies so competitive in cybersecurity, how...
2023-09-2859 min
DealMakers: Entrepreneur | Startups | Venture CapitalAlon Arvatz On Selling His Last Company For $350 Million And Now Raising Millions To Make Cloud Computing Affordable And EfficientIn a recent episode of the Dealmaker’s Podcast, Alon Arvatz, co-founder of PointFive, shared his remarkable journey through the tech industry. From his early exposure to tech companies to founding successful ventures, Alon's story is a testament to determination, adaptability, and a commitment to making an impact. His latest venture, PointFive, has attracted funding from top-tier VC Index Ventures.
2023-09-2838 min
NSNIsraeli Tech Entrepreneur Alon Arvatz Joins Nachum on JM in the AMhttps://f395d6.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AlonArvatzonJMintheAM09212023.mp3
Nachum hosted Alon Arvatz, author of “The Battle for Your Computer: Israel and the Growth of the Global Cyber-Security Industry,” live in the studio during this morning’s JM in the AM to discuss the book, Alon’s start-ups, high tech in Israel and more.
From the book’s Amazon page:
Discover the extraordinary realities of the world’s most advanced cybersecurity companies and tech
In The Battle for Your Computer: Israel and the Growth of the Global Cyber-Security Industry, Israeli Defe...
2023-09-2100 min
2023-09-2100 min
JM in the AM InterviewsNachum Segal and Tech Entrepreneur Alon Arvatz Discuss High Tech in Israel and Alon's Book "The Battle for Your Computer: Israel and the Growth of the Global Cyber-Security Industry"
2023-09-2100 min
The Human FounderEpisode 103 - with Alon Arvatz, CEO & Co-founder of PointFiveEvery team of co-founders deals with conflicts. As three co-founders of IntSights, Alon shared that they had to overcome many obstacles. When I asked him what caused conflicts between them and what helped them solve them, he explained that he had to make a shift in his mindset.
“It was a tough process to go through; you believe in yourself, you believe that you know what needs to be done as the co-founder who's supposed to make the decisions, but you learn, like in marriage, that you can’t take all the decisions alone.”
Lett...
2023-05-2351 min
Founder StoriezUncovering Life Lessons 3: A Special Episode with Ran Ribenzaft, Shahar Erez, Dan Scheinman, Guy Benjamin, Alon Arvitz. What Message They'd Give Their Younger SelvesShow Notes: 0:00 - 2:22 Introduction 2:23 - 4:18 Ran Ribenzaft 4:19 - 7:00 Shahar Eerz 7:01 - 8:49 Dan Scheinman 8:49 - 10:03 - Guy Benjamin 10:04 - 12:01 Alon Arvatz12:02 - 12:39 ending 🔗 CONNECT WITHRan Ribenzaft: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ran-ribenzaft/Shahar Erez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaharer/Dan Scheinman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danscheinman/Guy Benjamin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-benjamin-9904b844/Alon Arvatz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alon-arvatz/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH EPH...
2023-03-0512 min
Shot of CyberAlon ArvatzIn the 11th episode of Shot of Cyber, Gilad and Simon meet Alon Arvatz, an entrepreneur, Co-Founder at IntSights that has been acquired by Rapid7. Alon speaks about his journey as an entrepreneur in the Israeli cybersecurity industry, and about what is the necessary change of mindset he had to make once his startup suddenly turned into a part of a large enterprise. Alon shares his views on the Israeli secret sauce to becoming a world-leading cybersecurity market and shares historical milestones that made it happen.
2022-12-1840 min
Founder StoriezAlon Arvatz CPO & Co-founder IntSights | Selling a company for $335 Million |Conversation with Alon Arvatz CTO & Cofounder IntSights. Sold to Rapid7 for $335 Million.
Alon Arvatz:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alon-arvatz/
Ephraim Yarmak:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ephraimyarmak/
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Enjoy!
2022-04-1141 min
in my networkAlon Arvatz - Entrepreneur & Co Founder of IntSightsA humble and thought provoking leader.From 400 million dollar exits, to his religion, and his army career, we get to know Alon a bit better in this episode of in my network. Keep up with Alon on Linkedin!
2022-01-2732 min
20MinuteLeadersEp678: Alon Arvatz | Co-founder, IntSightsAlon co-founded IntSights, a startup focused on providing intelligence about adversaries and preventing cyber attacks before they take place. It was sold this year for $350M to Rapid7. During this time he took various leadership roles in strategy, product, business and engineering. He is also involved in social impact, founding "Kanfey Kesef" a non-profit that promotes financial literacy, and lately "Step2Tech" that brings diversity to the high-tech industry. Alon is an active angel investor, investing and advising founders in various sectors.
2021-12-1524 min
Salted HashGet a hands-on, inside look at the dark web | Salted Hash Ep 25Reporting from RSA 2018, host Steve Ragan helps dispel the hype and confusion surrounding the dark web, as he talks with Alon Arvatz, co-founder at IntSights.
2018-05-2410 min