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New To Z: Road to SME Podcast — Your Journey Starts Here!

By Camellia Datta posted 04/15/25 05:31 PM

Are you an early-career professional eager to grow into a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the IBM Z ecosystem? You're in the right place.

🎧** New To Z: Road to SME Podcast** is a podcast crafted just for you — hosted by Devonte’ ( IBM Z Hardware Technical Enablement Specialist & IBM Z Ambassador Alumnus) and Caitlin Mooney (IBM Z Ambassador Alumni & IBM Champion). Each episode dives into:

🧭 Mentorship insights from seasoned professionals
🛠️ Skill-building strategies to accelerate your growth
🚀 Career journeys that inspire and guide
💡 Practical advice from industry experts

Whether you're just starting out or ready to level up, this podcast is your companion on the path to becoming a confident SME.
👉 Start listening today and take your first step on the Road to SME!

Allow us to introduce our team:

🎙️ Devonte’ Hawkins (IBM Z Hardware Technical Enablement Specialist) - Podcast Host
🎙️ Caitlin Mooney (IBM Z Ambassador Alumni & IBM Champion)– Podcast Co-Host
🎧 Chris Sayles (DevOps Enablement and Digital Marketing Specialist) – Producer

2026
SEASON 2	EPISODE TITLE	GUEST	ABSTRACT
Episode 1	New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Pioneers in Mainframe Community Building: Steven Perva and Emma Skovgård	STEVEN PERVA EMMA SKOVGÅRD	We’re excited to kick off the 2026 Season 2 of the New to Z: Road to SME podcast with IBM Champions Steven Perva and Emma Skovgård, exploring how community, curiosity, and modern tooling are shaping the next generation of mainframers. In this episode, we talk about their unconventional paths into the mainframe world and their work building vibrant communities like the Systems Z Enthusiast Discord and Dynaframe. They share lessons on learning curves, modern tools like Python on Z, and the communication skills that help new and experienced mainframers thrive. A quick, inspiring look at two leaders shaping the future of the platform.
Episode 2	New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - When Teaching Is the Moment You Become an SME — with Richelle Anne Craw	RICHELLE ANNE CRAW	In this episode of New to Z: Road to SME, we’re joined by Richelle Anne Craw—Mainframe Software Engineer, IBM Champion, and community leader—for an honest and fun conversation about growth, curiosity, and confidence on the road to SME. Richelle shares her journey from early‑career developer to trusted expert, why teaching is often the moment you realize you’re an SME, and how transferable skills, mentorship, and curiosity shape long‑term success. From COBOL and pseudocode to open source and modern tooling, this episode is all about learning one step ahead—and making space for everyone in the mainframe community. Perfect for anyone new to IBM Z, navigating their career, or questioning whether they’re “expert enough” yet.
Episode 3	New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Mainframe Security Simplified: Niall Ashley’s Story	NIALL ASHLEY	Tune in as Devonte’ Hawkins and Caitlin Mooney chat with Niall Ashley, Security Technical Consultant at Vertali and IBM Champion. Niall shares his unexpected journey into mainframe security, having transitioned from aeronautical engineering. He discusses what makes mainframe security unique, strategies for learning complex concepts, and the importance of making education engaging. The conversation also touches on maintaining a healthy work-life balance and the value of giving back to the community through volunteering.
2025
SEASON 1	EPISODE TITLE	GUEST	ABSTRACT
Episode 1	New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - From Genes to Code: Joe Winchester's Unconventional Path to Mainframe Innovation“	JOE WINCHESTER	Meet Joe Winchester — IBM Master Inventor and open-source leader behind Zowe 3.0 and the IBMz AIOps Corner podcast. From quantum-safe encryption to global tech forums, Joe’s shaping the future of mainframe innovation.
Episode 2	New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Mainframe Roots: PJ Catalano's Path to IBM Z Test Architect	PASQUALE “PJ” CATALANO	Meet PJ Catalano — IBM Z Test Architect and mainframe reliability expert. From co-op student to testing leader, PJ shares how his team ensures the quality of IBM Z through emulation, simulation, and hardware integration. A deep dive into the unsung heroes of enterprise tech!
Episode 3	New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Green Screens & Grit: How Marcus Davage Became an SME	MARCUS DAVAGE	Meet Marcus Davage—Lead Product Developer at BMC Software and IBM Champion. In this episode, Marcus shares his inspiring journey from a curious teen coding on a Commodore 64 to becoming a respected mainframe expert. Tune in for real talk, career insights, and a few laughs along the way.
Episode 4	New to Z: Road to SME Podcast – Craig Mullins on Mainframes & More	CRAIG MULLINS	Meet Craig Mullins – From punched cards to mainframes, Craig’s journey is a masterclass in curiosity and adaptability. Discover how a college intern at US Steel became a leading voice in enterprise computing. Tune in to hear his origin story and insights on navigating tech’s evolution!
Episode 5	New to Z: Road to SME Podcast - Breakthrough Innovation on IBM Z: Insights from Industry Leaders Rebecca & Tina	REBECCA LEVESQUE TINA TARQUINIO	What better way to end the season than with our IBM Z Day special—featuring Tina Tarquinio, Chief Product Officer for IBM Z & LinuxONE, and Rebecca Levesque, Founder & CRO at 21CS. From AI + infrastructure to security, sustainability, and mentorship, Tina and Rebecca share smart, lively insights to help you go from New to Z to trusted SME—plus a few great stories along the way.