Penney Berryman

In a new three-part webinar series, PopUp Mainframe explores how SysProgs, training leaders, developers, and QA professionals tackle the challenges of modern z/OS environments. Mainframe teams rarely experience the platform in the same way. A systems programmer focused on security and availability faces different challenges than a developer focused on accelerating delivery.

This profile features Uwe Graf, one of the top four 2026 Influential Mainframers in the class of 2026. If you ask Uwe Graf to describe himself, he won’t start with a list of certifications or corporate accolades. He’ll tell you with pride that he is a “Modern Mainframe Nerd” who is determined to prove that Germans do, in fact, have a sense of humor.

Why These Numbers Matter While these statistics represent a successful award cycle, they also represent workforce sustainability. When 50% of your top influencers are new to the list, it means the skills gap bridge is under construction, led by passionate advocates who are redefining what it means to be a mainframer in the 2020s and beyond.