In the latest Mainframe Voices episode, the focus shifts from product announcements to people, as members of the Open Mainframe Project community share what they are most thankful for this year. Instead of zeroing in on a single technology milestone, this episode captures moments of gratitude spanning open source collaboration, career growth, and personal wins across the global mainframe ecosystem.
Gratitude Across the Mainframe Ecosystem
Throughout the episode, contributors reflect on the support they receive from colleagues, mentors, and community members who help them learn, experiment, and succeed with mainframe technologies. Many highlight how being part of the Open Mainframe Project has given them a sense of belonging and purpose, whether through working on projects, speaking at events, or mentoring new contributors.
Others share appreciation for new opportunities that emerged in 2025—joining mainframe teams, leading initiatives, or discovering open source on IBM Z—that have reshaped their professional journeys. For some, the year’s biggest gratitude moments come from balancing demanding technical work with personal milestones, such as family achievements or health and wellbeing.
Guests:
Steven Dickens – CEO and Principal Analyst, Top 3 Global Technology Industry Analyst, Advisor to Tech Vendor Executives
Billie Jean Simmons – Software Developer for zDevOps, IBM Wazi, and Cloud IDE; Zowe Explorer Squad Lead
Len Santalucia – CTO Mainframe, AI, Cloud, Analytics, Mobile, Security; IBM Champion and Chairperson of the Linux Foundation Open Mainframe Project
Elliot Jalley – Senior Principal Product Manager, Open Mainframe Project Ambassador
Germanas Šamrickis – Senior Software Engineer at Rocket Software
Why This Episode Matters
Hearing what people are thankful for offers a different lens on the health of the mainframe ecosystem, beyond metrics or roadmaps. When community members talk about feeling seen, supported, and inspired, it signals that the ecosystem is not only technologically strong but also human-centered.
“Mainframe Voices was created to showcase diverse perspectives within the mainframe community,” says Rahat, producer of the Mainframe Connect podcast series. “With this special episode, we’re celebrating the gratitude, connections, and stories that make this community so unique.
Watch the Full Episode
Do not miss this special December edition of Mainframe Voices and the heartfelt reflections from across the Open Mainframe Project community. Watch the full episode to hear what our guests are thankful for this year and how those moments are shaping their outlook for 2026.
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