Mainframe Connect

Mainframe Coven: Conjuring a Safe Space in Tech

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/

Mainframe Voices: What role does open source play in opening doors for mainframe careers?

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 Technology Industry Analyst, Advisor to Tech Vendor Executives •Sarah Julia Kriesch - Senior Lead, Mainframe Architect & Open Source Evangelist - zCloud @Kyndryl•John Lovett - Head of Education & Customer Engagement for the Mainframe Software Division @Broadcom Inc.•Junior Tamekem Tadiffo - IBM Z Student Ambassador•Marcus Davage - Lead Product Developer@BMC Software•Hunter Johnson - Product Marketing Engineer@Beyond Code(Broadcom)You will hear how open source has: - Lowered the barrier to getting practical mainframe experience - Helped contributors build portfolios they can share with employers - Created mentorship and networking opportunities across the global ecosystem.The Mainframe Connect podcast includes the I Am a Mainframer series, Mainframe Voices, and other content exploring relevant topics with mainframe professionals, sponsored by the Open Mainframe Project, a Linux Foundation initiative.#MainframeVoices #MainframeConnect #OpenMainframeProject #LinuxFoundation #Mainframe #OpenSource #IBMZ

I am a Mainframer: Sarah Julia Kriesch

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 Consortium, Sarah transitioned from IBM to Axians consulting and founded the working group that coordinates Linux distributions on s390x.Sarah discusses how the group collaborates on upstream challenges, serves as a point of contact for developers (like COBOL compiler teams), secures hardware upgrades, and leverages the LinuxONE Community Cloud for free VMs. She highlights successes with Rust, PyPI modules, and multi‑architecture testing, plus her vision for blockchain networks connecting bank mainframes with confidential computing and integrated AI.Celebrating Women's History Month – Sarah exemplifies women leading mainframe innovation through open source collaboration and community building during Women's History Month.#mainframe #opensource #IamaMainframer #podcast #openmainframeproject #LinuxFoundation #Kyndryl #StevenDickens #SarahJuliaKriesch #LinuxONE #MainframeConnect #WomenInTech #WomensHistoryMonth

I am a Mainframer with Junior Tadiffo

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 platform.​From his first "mind-blowing" experience accessing z/OS to running the university's IBM Z Club, Junior discusses the perception challenges on college campuses, the importance of hands-on access like z/OS Explore, and how open source Linux on mainframe makes it more accessible to students. He also shares advice for the mainframe community on supporting early-career talent and his vision for more public resources, YouTube tutorials, and greater mainframe integration in modern computing over the next 10 years.​Celebrating Black History Month: This episode highlights Junior Tadiffo's journey as a Black student leader breaking barriers in mainframe technology during Black History Month. Junior represents the next generation of diverse talent bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the mainframe ecosystem, proving that innovation knows no bounds.🔹 Learn how Junior overcame initial reservations about "old" technologies like COBOL, JCL, and REXX.🔹 Discover why seeing actual z17 hardware was his highlight of the year.🔹 Subscribe for more stories from students, professionals, and leaders in the mainframe world.#IAmAMainframer #Mainframe #BlackHistoryMonth #IBMZ #OpenMainframeProject #StudentAmbassador #zOS #MainframeCommunity

I am a Mainframer - Hunter Johnson

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 customers.Hunter recently joined the Open Mainframe Project Marketing Committee.Hunter shares his journey from healthcare and analytics marketing into mainframe, discusses the perception gap around the platform, and explains why so much of mainframe marketing is really about education—reframing the mainframe as a modern, first‑class citizen in a hybrid enterprise rather than “old” technology. He also talks about what he wishes he’d learned earlier in his career and offers advice to younger professionals interested in non‑technical roles in this space.🔹 Learn more about Broadcom’s Beyond Code initiative and how it supports mainframe clients beyond software. 🔹 Hear Hunter’s perspective on modernisation, talent, and the future of the platform over the next 3–5 years.🔹 Subscribe for more *I Am a Mainframer* episodes from the Open Mainframe Project. #IAmAMainframer #Mainframe #OpenMainframeProject #BeyondCode #TechCareers