Mainframes don’t just run on technology—they also run on people. Behind every secure transaction, every optimized system, and every breakthrough in modernization, there’s someone making it happen.
Last year, we launched the Influential Mainframers [2024] program to recognize the professionals, mentors, and advocates who are shaping the future of mainframe. The response was overwhelming, with stories of leadership, innovation, and dedication that reached thousands of readers.
We honored industry legends like Cheryl Watson, whose expertise in performance tuning has guided countless professionals, and PJ Catalano, an IBM Z & LinuxONE Test Architect whose work ensures mainframe systems remain robust and reliable. We celebrated experts like Dusty Rivers, who has dedicated his career to advancing zSystems and helping organizations maximize their mainframe investments, and rising voices like Jessielaine Punongbayan, who is bringing fresh energy and advocacy to the field.
Now, it’s time to recognize the next group of Influential Mainframers—and we need your help. Think about the people who have made a difference in the mainframe world over the past year. Maybe they:
- Mentored new professionals or helped expand mainframe education
- Contributed to research, open-source projects, or technical innovation
- Advocated for mainframe modernization and awareness
- Led efforts to ensure security, reliability, or efficiency
These are the people who keep mainframe strong—and they deserve to be celebrated.
Nominations for the 2025 Influential Mainframers closed March 31. See who made the list.
If you were named an Influential Mainframer in 2024, we invite you to reapply and share how your impact has grown. Whether you wrote articles, gave talks, led projects, or mentored others, we’d love to feature your continued contributions.
The mainframe community is built by the people who support it. Let’s take a moment to recognize them.
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