This month, Planet Mainframe celebrates influential mainframers nominated by the community. The field benefits from their efforts in making the mainframe what it is today and working towards the mainframe of tomorrow.
Today we are featuring a CEO setting the bar high for other leaders in the tech ecosystem.
Allan Zander
CEO, DataKinetics
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
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Allan Zander, CEO of DataKinetics, is responsible for the Company’s remarkable journey to joining leaders in the mainframe industry, including creating an exemplary workforce and workplace culture. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, his strategic leadership focuses first on driving business growth through global partnerships and revenue expansion, and second, on nurturing a work environment where dedicated mainframe professionals can thrive.
Allan’s entry into the mainframe world was inspired by working in highly reliable systems for 911 emergency services telephony, which requires the unmatched dependability of mainframe technology. This work and earlier experiences working with mainframes during his academic years steered him back toward Big Iron.
Zander aims to sustain DataKinetics’ legacy of innovation in the mainframe industry and expand its reach. “We never stop reinventing ourselves,” he says, speaking to the company’s core values of innovation, drive, and execution, which have kept it in business for nearly 50 years. “We have several irons in the fire with new customers, partners, and diversification initiatives that can really accelerate our future growth.”
For Zander, the mainframe ecosystem is not just about technology; it’s about building a community of accomplished practitioners who are exceptionally open to mentoring and collaboration. And creating a workplace for professionals to grow and thrive. Under Zander’s leadership, DataKinetics received recognition as one of Ottawa’s Best Places to Work.
Outside of DataKinetics, Zander is also a philanthropist. He served on the board of directors for CMG, as an Advisor to the Dean at Sprott School of Business, and as a Fundraiser Advisor for the Ottawa Hospital Foundation.