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AWS Executive Insights

"Cost isn’t the primary driver for cloud transformation—speed and agility are."

-- Chris Hennesey

A person in a blue blazer and light blue shirt standing against a red brick wall with arms crossed.

Getting to know

Chris Hennesey, AWS Enterprise Strategist

Chris' expertise

While a Technology Chief Financial Officer (CFO), he influenced business and technology executives to transform the business. As an Enterprise Finance Strategist, he works with enterprise executives around the globe to share financial management experiences and strategies for how the cloud can help them increase speed and agility while devoting more of their resources to their customers. He has led the planning and execution of a cloud-enabled business transformation at Capital One.

Chris' experience focus

Looking beyond the numbers is essential for any successful CFO and Chris does just that. Chris spent over 20 years as a leader in Capital One. He not only led a major cloud transformation as a Technology CFO but was a driving force in transforming the Finance function. Chris believes that to be trusted and to impact the business, CFOs must embed themselves into the business rather than boxing themselves into a single role.

Chris' AWS focus

A frequent topic of conversation with AWS customers is how to develop the business case for cloud and how the cloud’s payback is delivered. Chris highly encourages organizations not to get trapped into assuming nothing will change along the journey and to continuously revisit their assumptions. He also advises them that cultural transformation within their organization is just as critical as technology transformation. Success comes from painting a clear picture of the enterprise’s cloud strategy to build consensus and ensuring that employees impacted by the cloud have the time and resources to reskill.

Chris' extracurricular activities

In addition to a BS in Finance from Virginia Tech, Chris has an International MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He chose a career in technology and finance for its constant innovation and his desire to see the big picture and to make an impact. He lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife, three children, and two dogs, and enjoys outdoor activities and taking chances.

Chris' career

  • Technology Chief Financial Officer, Capital One
  • Senior Director, Corporate Planning & Analysis, Capital One
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  • BS, Finance, Virginia Tech
  • MBA, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
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  • Finance transformation
  • Cloud optimization
  • Data and analytics
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Coaching and development
  • Triathlons
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    Follow Chris

    Connect with Chris Hennesey on LinkedIn