Richelle Anne Craw
Software Engineer
Beta Systems Software
Linz, Austria
This piece is part of the 2026 Planet Mainframe Influential Mainframers series.
Richelle Anne Craw is the ultimate “multi-hyphenate” influencer: speaker, instructor, mentor, podcaster, and coder. As an advocate for collaboration across hybrid environments and fostering a culture of true openness, she’s ensuring the mainframe ecosystem stays relevant, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone.
Coding with Zowe: Bridging the DevOps Gap
Richelle’s technical street cred is rooted in her hands-on work with the Zowe open-source project. She’s part of a global team making the mainframe more approachable for a new generation of developers who thrive on cloud-native interfaces.
Like the best kind of leader, she knows how to build and use the tools successfully, and teaches others how to master them. She is a primary instructor for Mainframe DevOps with Open Source Tools to help bridge the gap between traditional environments and modern CI/CD pipelines.
“This work helps modernize access to mainframe knowledge, develop practical skills and career growth strategies, and encourage innovation through open-source collaboration.”
Watch her present about Zowe DevOps as a Cirriculum in this YouTube video. ▶️
The Mainframe Coven – Conjuring a Safe Space in Tech
Richelle also champions women in the technology community. She co-hosts the Mainframe Coven podcast, creating a welcoming space to celebrate the stories and successes of women in the industry.
“I co-host a podcast highlighting women in mainframes, amplifying underrepresented voices…[and] helping them gain skills and confidence.”
This is sorely needed, as the gender split for mainframe professionals remains predominantly male. According to career expert company Zipplia, among senior systems administration roles in the US, 23% are female and 77% are male.
This is echoed in LinkedIn’s report, The State of Women in Leadership: Global Employment Trends in 2026. It notes that the “Technology, Information and Media” sector remains one of the more difficult areas for women to reach the top. While women make up 36% of the global total tech workforce, they hold only 22% of leadership roles in that industry.
Knowint this, Richelle mentors numerous newcomers annually, helping them find their footing and their voice in a male-dominated field. She views her role as both a teacher and a teammate, ensuring no one has to navigate their career journey alone.
Influencing the Future
In an industry built on arguably ‘old school’ technology and heritage, Richelle Anne Craw is a vibrant leader of its future. She is an IBM Champion and Open Mainframe Project (OMP) Ambassador, bringing a fresh, collaborative energy to the platform.
With deep technical contributions and heart-led advocacy, Richelle proves that the mainframe is a thriving home for modern DevOps and meaningful diversity.
You can connect with Richelle on LinkedIn.
Follow @PlanetMainframe and #PMFInfluentialMainframers to congratulate this year’s honorees.
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