It’s my favorite time of year – when we can celebrate the launch of our “MVPs of Advocacy”, the IBM Champions. Many of you may know me from my past 3 years in the IBM Z space having responsibility for our IBM Z Champions, advocacy program, and creating a curated space (both digital and in person) for our New to Z community members.
The 2025 IBM Z Champions
I’m often asked, what is an IBM Champion. To me, they are the MVPs of advocacy – those individuals that spend so much of their time (outside of their job role) building and growing communities, presenting at conferences, sharing knowledge and participating in councils, and so much more.
To see a full list of all our 2025 Champions, check out our brand-new 2025 IBM Champion Directory!
My Experience
This year marked my third time participating in the IBM Champion nomination process, and once again, I was truly in awe of the remarkable contributions from over 600 individuals recognized for their advocacy of IBM Z and LinuxONE. Their dedication, expertise, and passion continue to shape and elevate our community in extraordinary ways.
It is with great honor that I extend an invitation to more than 200 outstanding individuals to join the esteemed IBM Champion program for IBM Z and LinuxONE. This distinguished group reflects the full breadth of our vibrant ecosystem—comprising students, educators, esteemed retirees, visionary technical leaders, valued clients, and trusted business partners. Their commitment to innovation and excellence strengthens the very foundation of our technology community.
Spotlight
Ezriel Gross – or as I call him – the heart of CICS. Chances are if you’ve attended SHARE, GSE, or IBM Z Day, you’ve had the opportunity to learn from Ezriel. Did you know he’s also a former educator that spends a lot of time mentoring and sharing his knowledge with new mainframers?
The excitement around IBM Z careers is growing, which has led to the creation of [new to z] chapters in more than 26 locations around the world, many of which are being led by IBM Champions including Ruth Bonser, Christine Jenkins, Kathleen Keogh, Fanny Hedlund, Malin Backe, Leonardo Zrycki, Roberto Chirinos, Paolo Enrique Garcia Ramos, Nicholas Leung, Reg Harbeck, Phil Sutherin, Caitlin Mooney, Amelia Aroda and Hamid Khan. These groups provide an opportunity for early tenure mainframers to build their local network, while growing their skills for the future.
Steven Perva. Emma Skovgård, Lionel Dyck and Ray Mullins are the backbone behind the System Z Enthusiast Discord – providing a welcoming community for open and informal communication of all things IBM Z
A Huge Thanks
To all the incredible 2025 IBM Z Champions: You are the heartbeat of our community! Your passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to innovation make the mainframe world an extraordinary place. Your enthusiasm fuels progress, your knowledge inspires others, and your generosity in sharing wisdom strengthens us all. You are the reason this journey is so rewarding, and we celebrate each of you for the vital role you play in shaping the future of technology. Thank you for being the true champions of this vibrant community!
Are you ready for your journey?
Not sure how to get started? Make sure to check out the IBM Z Advocacy Hub to find opportunities and resources to get your 2025 advocacy journey started. While there, be sure to create your advocacy profile, and claim your IBM Z and LinuxONE Advocacy badges for 2025.
Continue the Celebration
Meet them all: Dive into the 2025 IBM Champions Directory to connect with our Champions!
Get inspired: Check out Libby Ingrassia’s Blog for more on this year’s class.
Hang live: Don’t miss the Meet & Celebrate IBM Champions webinar on March 5th, 2025 (11:00 AM ET)—Q&A with the experts!
Attending SHARE WDC? – Join us in Azalea 3 on Wednesday, February 26, 6 pm – 7 pm and “Meet the IBM Champions”
Meet IBM Z and LinuxONE Champion Educators