

If you only have to have a cert to be promoted, then OP can simply not do it and not be promoted. No conversation with his boss would be necessary.
It sounds more like the org need X amount of people qualified to have “gold” status with a vendor, so they pressure you to get it and make any promotion contingent on you having/gaining this cert.
Im betting she has enough of her own money.
This is maybe more a cinderella situation. She likely grew up when the name “kennedy” was synonymous to royalty.
It aint no more.