Sherri Wooldridge

My “home port” for FinOps is now with Carnival Cruise Line! Can you imagine how much fun this will be? It was brought to me as a contract position from the InsightGlobal team, via LinkedIn – proof that networking and being open to all options WORKS. Many companies that I have interviewed with over the last year need encouragement and ideas in “the cloud” from the FinOps framework. Our cost management contribution is still needed to ensure that every dollar spent has value to businesses. I was hoping to share my expertise at Rise and Shift (as a consultant), but the direction for Turnberry Solutions changed. That experience took me further into how best to communicate the cloud landscape to those who are just learning its complexities. Previously, as the Cloud Financial Optimization Manager at 3M, I led the FinOps practice for the Digital Science Community and the 100+ SaaS teams that deliver cloud computing solutions on AWS and GCP to healthcare customers. I saved millions of dollars from 7 years of experience in cloud operations, and many more in business analysis and program management. Evangelizing cost management for the public cloud investment relative to the business goals is how I accomplished saving millions of dollars -- along with the cooperation of the village of software development teams. That feat was enhanced by using the Apptio Cloudability solution and AWS tools for trending, forecasting, anomaly detection, and driving accountability across two divisions. I drove the culture change for many teams, leading them to new levels of spend ownership that fed the forecasting. When I worked closely with Senior Managers, it was based on strategizing for cost avoidance, with much data visualization of impactful metrics to help prioritize resources. Data-driven decision making was the basis of the consistent communications at all levels, however. Also responsible for the AWS monthly billing payables and issues, I worked regularly with procurement teams, as well as Finance for forecasting, Security for risk issues, and everybody else for cost management! I have been a member of the FinOps Foundation since 2020, contributing to the profession. My positive vendor management skills served my company well, and I enjoyed many encounters that led to productive solutions even in crises. This has only enhanced the success of the FinOps profession as an enjoyable and impactful work life.