Today, we recognize someone who continues to expand the mainframe conversation—bringing open source to center stage and making space for new voices along the way.
Donna Hudi
Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Business Development, Phoenix Software International
California, United States
Connect with Donna on:
View the entire 2025 Influential Mainframers group here.
Donna Hudi is known across the mainframe world as a connector, a strategist, and a champion for community. With over two decades of executive leadership spanning technology, start-ups, association management, and financial services, she brings a rare blend of technical insight, business acumen, and organizational vision to the mainframe ecosystem.
Her career includes prior roles in asset management, electronic trading, and technology consulting, including managing nearly $90B in assets at an investment firm. She’s led enterprise-level technology transformation projects, developed risk management frameworks, and built bridges between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Through it all, Donna remains committed to mentoring the next generation. At events like SHARE Kansas City, she helps spotlight the many ways new professionals can get involved.
In 2024, Donna spearheaded the launch of the first-ever Open Mainframe Project track at the GSE UK Conference, curating content, supporting speakers, and creating new opportunities for collaboration across the enterprise and open source communities. She also co-chaired the Open Mainframe Project agenda at IBM TechXchange, working both behind the scenes and on-site to deliver a thoughtful and well-executed program.
Beyond events, Donna leads from multiple fronts: as an IBM Z Champion, Open Mainframe Project Ambassador, and Chair of the OMP Marketing Committee, where she helps shape messaging and outreach for one of the industry’s most visible cross-vendor initiatives.
In 2025, Planet Mainframe is proud to once again recognize Donna Hudi as one of our Influential Mainframers.
Influential Mainframer
Mainframe technology continues to evolve because of the dedicated professionals, educators, mentors, and innovators who drive it forward. We’re shining a spotlight on the individuals who are making waves—whether they’re advancing technology, mentoring new talent, sharing knowledge, championing modernization, or quietly keeping mission-critical systems running every day. These are the people shaping the future of mainframe. They come from all backgrounds and experience levels, but they all have one thing in common: they’re making a difference.
Check back daily as we reveal a new honoree. Read their stories, celebrate their impact, and be inspired.
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