My Role (and How I Got Here): I currently work as a Mainframe Solution Architect, and my journey in the mainframe space has been shaped not just by the complex migrations I lead, but by how I show up as an advocate in the community. Over the last 13 years, navigating everything from Assembler development to large-scale legacy modernizations, I've realized that technical expertise is only half the equation.

How Being an Advocate Changed My Career: Becoming a two-time IBM Champion and a mainframe advocate didn't just add to my experience-it accelerated my growth. It helped me: ∙ Solidify my own understanding of intricate systems by breaking down complex z/OS, DB2, and Assembler concepts for others. ∙ Grow my confidence to lead massive transformation projects by learning from the broader community's shared knowledge. ∙ Shift my focus from purely solving technical defects to empowering people and building up the next wave of mainframe talent.

A Moment That Stuck With Me: There was a moment while managing a massive IBM mainframe migration involving over 1,600 components and 150,000 unique files. The sheer scale was daunting, but taking the time to sit down and coach "new to z" developers through the schema mapping and data transformation tools shifted the entire dynamic of the project. That experience made me realize that advocacy isn't just about speaking on a stage; it's about the 1:1 mentorship in the trenches that empowers a team to tackle seemingly impossible technical challenges.

What I'm Known For: As an advocate, I'm becoming known for: ∙ My strength - Demystifying legacy modernization and explaining complex database transitions simply. ∙ My approach - Collaborative, patient, and deeply invested in the technical and professional growth of my peers. ∙ My contribution - Mentoring entry-level talent and bridging the knowledge gap between decades-old Assembler/COBOL architectures and modern solutions.

My Favorite Way to Advocate: The way I enjoy advocating the most is: ∙ Coaching and mentoring entry-level and "new to z" developers, whether through 1:1 sessions or community discussions. Because there is nothing quite like seeing the "aha" moment when a new developer finally grasps a complex JCL or IMS DB concept. It ensures the mainframe ecosystem continues to thrive with fresh perspectives.

What Keeps Me Excited About This Space: What motivates me most is the massive scale of impact in legacy modernization and the continuous, resilient evolution of the IBM zSystems community. It's what keeps me engaged and growing, knowing that the work we do forms the critical backbone of global industries.

Advice for Future Advocates: If you're thinking about getting involved: ∙ Start small - Share what you're learning right now, even if it's just a helpful debugging trick or a small REXX automation script. ∙ Be a mentor - You don't need to know absolutely everything to help someone who is just starting out. Your recent experiences are incredibly valuable to them. ∙ Connect openly - Engage with the community, share your migration stories, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Every time you share, help, or connect, you're building your career and strengthening the mainframe community. Start your first step by creating your advocacy profile and reporting your acts of advocacy.