Mainframe Connect

Join host Steven Dickens in this episode of *I Am a Mainframer* featuring Brahadambal Srinivasan, Technical Architect at IBM, as she shares her journey from Linux and open source to leading teams working on Linux on Z.Brahadambal talks about how her team helps maintain and port open source packages, why Linux on Z is still Linux, and what it takes to support applications on the s390x architecture....

In this special episode of Mainframe Voices, we explore the signals and trends the mainframe community should be watching closely right now, from AI and modernisation to talent and skills. Our guests share what stands out to them most, and how these shifts may shape the future of the platform and the people working in it. We are delighted to have our guests:Geoffrey Decker – IBM Z Champion 2022–20...

In this episode of the Mainframe Connect podcast's I Am a Mainframer series, J.J. Lovett, Lead for Education and Customer Engagement at Broadcom Mainframe Division, shares his journey from CA Technologies customer advocacy to leading Mainframe Open Education, Vitality programs, and practitioner engagement at events like SHARE and IDUG.J.J. tackles the mainframe skills gap head-on, explaining w...

In this episode of the Mainframe Connect podcast’s *I Am a Mainframer* series, **Marcus Davage**, Lead Product Developer at BMC Software and an OMP ambassador, shares how a childhood fascination with early home computers in South Wales grew into a decades-long career centred on Db2 across multiple platforms. From his first encounter with a 3270 terminal during a year-out placement at British Steel...

In this episode of Mainframe Coven, Jessielaine Punongbayan (Product Manager, Dynatrace) and Richelle Anne Craw (Software Engineer, Beta Systems Software) talked about the importance of conjuring a safe space for women in tech. Full Transcript here: https://openmainframeproject.org/mainframe-coven/mainframe-coven-conjuring-a-safe-space/

In this special episode of Mainframe Voices, we explore how open source is helping people discover, enter, and grow their careers on the mainframe. Our guests share how contributing to open source projects on IBM Z has given them hands‑on experience, visibility, and a community that supports their professional journeys. Featuring: •Steven Dickens – CEO and Principal Analyst, Top 3 Global Technolog...

In this episode of the Mainframe Connect podcast's I Am a Mainframer series, Sarah Julia Kriesch, Senior Lead Mainframe Architect (Open Source) at Kyndryl, shares her journey from Linux system administration to leading the Linux Distribution Working Group at the Open Mainframe Project. Starting with her bachelor thesis on Kubernetes on mainframe through Germany's Academic Mainframe Consort...

Join host Steven Dickens in this inspiring episode of I Am a Mainframer featuring Junior Tadiffo, a third-year Computer Science student at University at Buffalo, IBM Z Student Ambassador, and President of the UB IBM Z Club. Junior shares his journey discovering the mainframe through a friend's recommendation, earning IBM Z badges on z/OS Explore, and igniting his passion for this powerful plat...

In this episode of *I Am a Mainframer*, host Steven Dickens sits down with Hunter Johnson from Broadcom’s Mainframe Software Division to explore how a marketing professional builds a thriving career in the mainframe ecosystem. Hunter leads marketing for Broadcom’s **Beyond Code** initiative, focusing on workforce resiliency, change management, and efficiency and cost optimisation for mainframe cus...

In this special December episode of Mainframe Voices, leaders and contributors from across the Open Mainframe Project community share what they are most thankful for this year. From new career opportunities and open source collaboration to supportive teams and personal milestones, our guests reflect on the moments that made 2025 memorable in the mainframe world. Featuring: •Steven Dickens – CEO an...

In this episode of Mainframe Coven, Jessielaine Punongbayan (Product Manager, Dynatrace) and Richelle Anne Craw (Software Engineer, Beta Systems Software) chat with Lezlie Browder, A Technologist Devoted to Lifelong Learning. She shares her decades-long career as a mainframe mentor, instructor, and technologist. She reflects on inclusive tech culture, teaching across generations, volunteering, and...

In this episode of Mainframe Coven, Jessielaine Punongbayan (Product Manager, Dynatrace) and Richelle Anne Craw (Software Engineer, Beta Systems Software) chat with Sudharsana Srinivasan, a champion for mentorship and mainframe advocacy. She opens up about her journey from studying computer science in India to leading firmware development at IBM, sharing the lessons she’s learned along the way. Su...

Join host Steven Dickens as he chats with Ricki West, a systems programmer at the UK Land Registry, about his journey into the mainframe world, his evolving roles across subsystems, and his commitment to growing the mainframe community through initiatives like Waves. Ricki and Steven shares insights on navigating mainframe careers, the changing demographics of the industry with millennials and Gen...

Join host Steven Dickens in this episode of I Am A Mainframer as he talks with Emma Skovgard, an IT security engineer at Danske Bank. Emma shares her inspiring and unconventional career path into the mainframe ecosystem, her deep involvement in open source projects, and her insights on the current challenges and future of mainframe security. Discover Emma's perspective on automation, infrastru...

In this episode of Mainframe Coven, Jessielaine Punongbayan (Product Manager, Dynatrace) and Richelle Anne Craw (Software Engineer, Beta Systems Software) chat with Meredith Stowell, Vice President of IBM Z & LinuxONE Ecosystem, a visionary leader helping more people find their way into tech. Meredith shares how her career shaped her leadership philosophy, her advocacy for non-traditional path...

In this episode of Mainframe Coven, Jessielaine Punongbayan (Product Manager, Dynatrace) and Richelle Anne Craw (Software Engineer, Beta Systems Software) chat with Former SHARE President Pam Taylor, a historian turned mainframer who ended up making history herself. Pam shares her journey into enterprise tech, her advocacy for standards and user-focused solutions, and how she blends technical expe...

In this exciting episode of Mainframe Voices, we look forward to the Open Mainframe Project’s presence at three major 2025 events: SHARE, TechXchange, and GS UK. Featuring insights from leaders on the 2025 program committees, this episode explores what attendees can expect from these conferences and why they’re pivotal for the mainframe community. Our guests share their enthusiasm for the innovati...

In this episode of Mainframe Coven, Jessielaine Punongbayan (Product Manager, Dynatrace) and Richelle Anne Craw (Software Engineer, Beta Systems Software) look back at a time when women were central to computing and examine how and why that changed, even though the work didn’t. Together they reflect on software engineering, cultural bias, institutional gatekeeping, and the motivation to rewrite th...

In this episode of Mainframe Coven, Jessielaine Punongbayan (Product Manager, Dynatrace) and Richelle Anne Craw (Software Engineer, Beta Systems Software) dive into the origins of the term "Kilogirl", explore its historical context, and discuss the importance of women’s visibility in tech. Together, they reflect on the legacy of women in computing, share personal insights, and answer the...

In this episode of Mainframe Voices, we dive into the critical role of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) within the Open Mainframe Project. Featuring insights from esteemed TAC leaders, this episode explores how their leadership fosters collaboration, innovation, and growth in the open-source mainframe ecosystem. Our distinguished guests share their personal journeys in mainframe technology a...

In this episode of the Mainframe Connect podcast's I Am a Mainframer series, host Steven Dickens welcomes Natalie Carrillo from IBM to share her fascinating journey into the mainframe ecosystem. From choosing marketing over systems engineering to becoming a key player in nurturing IBM Z's global Independent Software Vendor (ISV) community, Natalie discusses her role in fostering innovation...

In this episode of the Mainframe Connect podcast's I am a Mainframer series, Richelle from Beta Systems shares her inspiring journey from the Philippines to Austria in the mainframe industry. Starting as a COBOL programmer trainee, Richelle transitioned through roles in systems programming and open-source development, becoming a key contributor to the Zowe community as a Scrum Master for Zowe...

In this special episode of Mainframe Voices, we explore the excitement surrounding IBM's April 8th announcement of the z17 mainframe through the perspectives of those newer to the mainframe ecosystem. For many of these professionals, this was their first-ever IBM mainframe launch experience. Our guests share what excited them most about the new IBM Telum II processor's AI capabilities, the full-st...

In celebration of Women's History Month, this special Mainframe Voices episode features first-time IBM Champions of 2025 sharing the influential women and advice that shaped their careers. Learn about the mentors, role models, and wisdom that helped these professionals succeed in the mainframe ecosystem. Discover powerful insights as these leaders reflect on the women who had the biggest impac...

In this episode of the Mainframe Connect podcast's I Am A Mainframer series, Gerald Mitchell, Chief Testing Tools Architect and Senior Technical Staff Member at IBM, shares his journey in the mainframe industry. From his early days as an intern at IBM in 1997 to his current role revolutionising testing tools, Gerald offers unique insights into mainframe modernisation. He challenges common misc...