In today’s ever-evolving technology landscape, advocacy, authenticity, and expertise go hand in hand—and few embody that synergy better than Jessielaine Punongbayan, Product Manager and Tech Evangelist at Dynatrace, and first-time IBM Champion. Her journey into the mainframe space is marked not only by technical excellence but by a genuine desire to uplift the community around her.
For Jessielaine, being named an IBM Champion is more than a title—it’s a meaningful recognition of her dedication to the IBM Z ecosystem and a major step toward her goal of being seen as a thought leader in the mainframe space. “It means a lot to me,” she says. “I want to be recognized as an expert in the Mainframe space and being an IBM Champion helps.”
While she works at the intersection of observability and enterprise modernization, Jessielaine’s favorite IBM open technology is Zowe. As an advocate of accessibility and innovation, she sees the Zowe framework as a foundational piece of the mainframe's next generation—empowering modern developers to engage with IBM Z using familiar tools.
When it comes to advocacy, speaking at conferences holds a special place in her heart. “There are a lot of things that I’m proud of,” she shares, “but the one that I treasure the most is my first time speaking at GSE UK. I’ve always admired those who speak publicly—who are brave enough to be vulnerable and share their experiences. So, getting to do that myself was a full-circle moment.”
This passion for knowledge-sharing is what ultimately led Jessielaine to become an IBM Champion. “I believe everyone has expertise to contribute. If we share that with each other, we can create solutions that benefit all of us.” That mindset—generous, collaborative, and driven—lies at the core of her community impact.
Outside of technology, Jessielaine’s creative spirit shines just as brightly. If not immersed in tech, she says, “I’d be a full-time artist—a linocut or woodblock printmaker.” That creative flair adds an extra dimension to her technical storytelling, helping her communicate complex ideas in ways that are both compelling and accessible.
Most recently, Jessielaine has attended IBM TechXchange 2024 and GSE UK Virtual 2025, both of which she praises for their strong community presence and rich content. Looking ahead to TechXchange 2025, she’s energized by the agenda—and, as always, the people.
When asked what advice she’d give to someone just beginning their mainframe journey, her answer is simple but powerful:
“Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try things out and learn from it.”
That fearless, curious, and collaborative mindset is exactly what makes Jessielaine Punongbayan not just an IBM Champion—but a champion for the future of enterprise tech.
Lightning round:
- What would be your superpower and why? Empathy. Because the world needs it.
- Bucket list trip? Hmm, Maybe Antarctica or Norway + North pole. Something with glaciers.
- Ice cream or cake? Cake! Braze de Mercedes cake, but I also love Ube Ice-cream.
- Cats or dogs? Both
- Summer or winter? Spring and Fall 😃
- Morning or evening? Evening
- eBook or paper book? Paper book
- TV shows or movies? Both (as long as it’s good)
- A night out or a night in? Night in
- Cannonball into the pool or dip a toe in first? dip a toe in first
- Go-to karaoke song? That’s the way it is by Celine Dion and Incomplete by BSB
- Drive or fly? Drive
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