Cherry pick `Checkpoint connector bugfixes (10647 & 10786)` into `r2.0.0`
Maybe some other change needs to get cherry picked? https://github.com/NVIDIA/NeMo/actions/runs/11191244026/job/31113955708?pr=10770 @akoumpa to help merge this in CI passed: https://github.com/NVIDIA/NeMo/actions/runs/11446635583
[🤖]: Hi @jstjohn 👋,<br><br>we've cherry picked #10647 into `r2.0.0` for you! 🚀<br><br>Please review and approve this cherry pick by your convenience\!