Meet the 2025 Influential Mainframers
Mainframe technology continues to evolve because of the dedicated professionals, educators, mentors, and innovators who drive it forward. This April, we’re celebrating them.
Welcome to the second annual Influential Mainframers campaign. Last year, we launched this initiative to recognize the people who inspire, lead, and support the global mainframe community—and the response was incredible. You shared powerful stories, and together, we reached thousands of readers.
Now, we’re back with a new class of 2025 honorees.
Starting today and all month long, 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.
Follow @Planet Mainframe and follow #pmfinfluentialmainframers to congratulate this year’s honorees, share your favorite stories, and spread the word.
Top Influential Mainframers
Magie Hall Ph.D.
University of Nebraska Omaha
Read our interview and Profile on Magie
Misty Decker
Felix Scott
Vikas Sinha Ph.D.
Broadcom Mainframe Software
Read our interview and Profile on Vikas
Influential Mainframers of 2025
Donna Hudi
Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Business Development, Phoenix Software International
Lauren Valenti
Director, Mainframe Education, Customer Engagement, Vitality and Mainframe Expert Program,
Broadcom Software
Honorable Mentions
Choosing just 44 wasn’t easy. That’s why we’re also recognizing 34 additional professionals for honorable mention, whose nominations include long-time contributors, champions of open source, and leaders.
- Tofik Jemal Ahmed
- Jakub Balhar
- Saurabh Banerjee
- John Bradley
- Sam Buhler
- John Campbell
- Natalie Carrillo
- Chris Crone
- George DeCandio
- Sebastian Dewar
- Priya Doty
- Trevor Eddolls
- Stefan Ekman
- Nicole Fagen
- James Gill
- Reg Harbeck
- Matt Hogstrom
- Steve Hosie
- Georges Kopp
- Greg Lotko
- John (JJ) Lovett
- Vaughn Marshall
- Py Moon
- Craig Mullins
- Sanket Nawale
- Ravi Patil
- Steven Perva
- Jessielaine Punongbayan
- Rose Sakach
- Siba Shaveri
- Saberi Shiva
- Sanjay Tamboli
- Stan Muse
- Allan Zander