In celebration of Women's History Month, this special Mainframe Voices episode features first-time IBM Champions of 2025 sharing the influential women and advice that shaped their careers. Learn about the mentors, role models, and wisdom that helped these professionals succeed in the mainframe ecosystem.Discover powerful insights as these leaders reflect on the women who had the biggest impact on their professional journeys and the advice that guided their success.We are delighted to have our guests:Jessielaine Punongbayan - Product Manager @DynatraceNoor Aftab - Sr. Program Manager @AWSChristine Jenkins - Country Manager, Director of Common Services @21CSHannah Templeton - zOS @IRSElitsa Popova - Mainframe Consultant @BMC SoftwareThe Mainframe Connect podcast includes the I am a Mainframer series, Riveting Mainframe Voices series, and other content exploring relevant topics with mainframe professionals, sponsored by the Open Mainframe Project.#WomensHistoryMonth #IBMChampions #Mainframe #OpenMainframeProject #LinuxFoundation #WomenInTech #MainframeConnect #MainframeVoices

In this episode of the Mainframe Connect podcast's I Am A Mainframer series, Gerald Mitchell, Chief Testing Tools Architect and Senior Technical Staff Member at IBM, shares his journey in the mainframe industry. From his early days as an intern at IBM in 1997 to his current role revolutionising testing tools, Gerald offers unique insights into mainframe modernisation. He challenges common misconceptions about COBOL and other mainframe technologies, emphasising that modernisation isn't about abandoning platforms but optimising usage. Gerald discusses his work with Watson Code Assistant and the critical importance of validation in the development process. A highlight of the conversation is Gerald's vision for the future of mainframe technology, focusing on sustainability, AI integration, and bringing testing closer to code.

In this episode of the Mainframe Connect podcast's I am a Mainframer series, Steven Perva, Expert Mainframe Innovation Engineer at Ensono, shares his unique journey in the mainframe industry. From his early days fixing point-of-sale systems with his father to winning IBM's Master of the Mainframe contest in college, Steven's path led him to IBM Poughkeepsie and eventually to Ensono. He discusses the evolution of mainframe modernization, emphasizing that it's not just about technology but about creating a more integrated and cohesive IT strategy. A highlight of the conversation is Steven's role in building a vibrant mainframe community through Discord, which has grown to over 2,600 members.

In this episode of the I am a Mainframer podcast, Steve Steuart, mainframe modernization lead at Accenture, shares his fascinating journey in the mainframe industry. Starting as a computer operator in Panama during the 1980s, Steve has built a career focused on migration projects and modernization strategies. He reflects on the enduring role of mainframes, stating, “The mainframe got us to the moon; the cloud will take us to Mars.” Steve advocates for a hybrid approach, blending mainframe and cloud technologies to meet evolving business needs. He also dives into the human side of modernization, emphasizing that the biggest challenges often lie in "people and processes," not just technology.

In this episode of I Am a Mainframer, we sit down with Gary Thornhill, CEO and founder of PopUp Mainframe, to explore his intriguing journey through the IT industry. From an unexpected start at IBM to navigating challenges in banking, Gary shares how his expertise in mainframe technology, MQSeries, and DevOps shaped his career. Hear how these experiences inspired him to launch PopUp Mainframe, a company dedicated to modernizing and democratizing mainframe access. Plus, Gary offers his insights on the future of mainframe computing, touching on sustainability, cost-efficiency, and why this technology remains essential in an evolving digital landscape.

In this episode of the "I Am a Mainframer" podcast, guest host Donna Hudi chats with Fernando Rijo Cedeno, a research and development engineer at Broadcom. Fernando reflects on his roots in the Dominican Republic and how his Hispanic heritage has influenced his work in the mainframe community. As a Zowe CLI squad leader, he led efforts to make Zowe’s tools multilingual, increasing accessibility for non-English speakers.

Fernando shares his passion for the mainframe community and his vision for its future, highlighting the role of open-source initiatives like Zowe in driving growth and modernization. He encourages everyone, regardless of their language background, to get involved in the mainframe ecosystem.

In this episode of the I Am a Mainframer podcast, Sam Golob delves into the history of the CBT Tape, a vital collection of user-created software for mainframe systems programming. Golob shares how the CBT Tape began in the 1970s, evolving from a physical tape to an online repository. He also discusses his role in maintaining this key resource, which continues to serve as a hub for systems programmers to share tools and solutions within the mainframe community.

In this episode of the I Am a Mainframer podcast, host Steven Dickens sits down with Riya Sahu, a passionate mainframe developer at Kyndryl, to explore her inspiring journey in the world of mainframe technology.  Riya describes her career move from India to Hungary, the challenges of overcoming a language barrier, and how she embraced new opportunities. As she dives into the exciting projects she’s leading at Kyndryl, Riya highlights her work with IMS databases, discussing their critical role in the banking sector. 

Throughout the conversation, Riya reflects on her personal growth, offering advice to her younger self to stay open-minded and grateful for new opportunities. She also shares her thoughts on the future of mainframe technology, including its continued relevance and cutting-edge applications, such as its role in space missions.

Riya’s story is a testament to the evolving perception of mainframe technology and the exciting possibilities it offers. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or new to the industry, this episode is filled with valuable insights and inspiration.

In this episode of the I Am a Mainframer podcast, host Steven Dickens interviews Darren Surch, CEO of Interskill Learning, the largest mainframe training provider in the world. Surch discusses his background in mainframe training and the evolution of Interskill over the past 30 years. He highlights the impact of the IBM digital badge program on training delivery and the increased engagement and motivation it brings to learners. Surch also discusses the importance of networking, mentoring, and community involvement in the mainframe industry. He predicts that AI will play a significant role in education and training, making processes more efficient, but emphasizes the continued need for experienced mainframers to provide valuable insights and real-world examples. Surch believes that the mainframe will remain at the center of data management and security, with companies leveraging AI to analyze decades of data for valuable insights and a competitive edge.

In this episode of the "I Am a Mainframer" podcast, host Steven Dickens interviews Dusty Rivers, a revered mainframe expert with 47 years of industry experience. Dusty recounts his remarkable journey from a COBOL programmer to his current role as Senior Director of US zSystems at Mainline Information Systems. He delves into his extensive work with database management systems, notably his contributions to the implementation of Db2 version one. Throughout the conversation, Dusty reflects on the evolution of the mainframe community and underscores the significance of modernization within the industry. He stresses the importance of pragmatism and the ability to embrace new technologies. Looking ahead, Dusty envisions a robust future for mainframes, predicting their continued growth and increasing power.