How 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 discuss how Suncorp builds FinOps into its AI and data DNA, the realities of managing large-scale data platforms, and how empathy and education transform FinOps from “the bad guys” into trusted partners.

Here’s what we talked about:

• Shifting FinOps from cost savings to business value

• Embedding FinOps into AI and data platform governance

• Building a healthy FinOps culture with empathy and education

• Partnering with AWS and Databricks to drive efficiency

• Measuring ROI and optimization in AI-driven environments

If you’re working on FinOps in complex data or AI environments, this episode offers a masterclass in how to align cost, performance, and business impact.

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Quote of the Show:

• " A FinOps practitioner's role is to be a storyteller and to actually turn a lot of data into something that has context and is something that people can action.” -Emily Cornock

Connect with Emily:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilycornock/
• Website: https://www.suncorpgroup.com.au/

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