This year’s Mighty Mainframe Conference once again brings an exceptional lineup of experts who will showcase the very best of today’s mainframe world: from AI‑driven security and modern operations to strategic architecture, community culture, and real‑world enterprise experience.
Below, we introduce some of the speakers who will take the Mighty Mainframe stage and the themes shaping this year’s program.
Martin Pluschke — Architecture as a Strategic Superpower
Martin Pluschke stands out as a true strategic voice at Mighty Mainframe 2026, a C‑level leader whose perspective reaches far beyond technology. He brings one of the most compelling enterprise narratives in the industry: the moment when NÜRNBERGER Versicherung decided to move away from the mainframe, and the even more impactful realization, years later, that returning to it offered greater long‑term value.
This is not just a technical story. It is a case study in high‑stakes IT strategy, long‑range thinking, and the very real business consequences of architectural decisions. In what is expected to be a session themed around effective BizTech architecture, Pluschke will explore how modern enterprises can design systems that genuinely move the business forward by balancing innovation, stability, risk, and resilience.
It is the kind of talk aimed at decision‑makers, the ones who shape how architecture is understood, not only how it is implemented.
Mark Wilson — AI, Security, and the Modern Mainframe Reality
Mark Wilson is one of the most recognized voices in mainframe security and modernization. His session will focus on today’s biggest challenges and opportunities, including how to protect platforms that are inherently secure yet increasingly exposed through hybrid IT environments.
He will dive into the importance of preventive controls like RACF, ACF2, and Top Secret, as well as the next generation of AI‑powered detection mechanisms that enable faster anomaly spotting, predictive analytics, and advanced observability.
For Wilson, modernization does not mean compromising security. With the right tooling, user‑friendly interfaces, and carefully planned hybrid integration, organizations can significantly enhance their resilience. He will also highlight the importance of workforce development. Programs such as GSE and CPE certifications ensure teams can fully leverage mainframes in secure and efficient ways.
Henri Kuiper — The Community Builder and Curious Tinkerer
Henri Kuiper is an institution of his own: a lifelong mainframe enthusiast, a self‑described tinkerer, and a driving force behind mainframe community culture. He has been exploring big iron longer than many of us have been writing our first lines of code.
True to his style, Henri may not yet know the exact topic of his session, and that unpredictability is part of his charm. Whether he decides to talk about zDevOps, security, or his project ZIGI (a Git interface for z/OS ISPF), one thing is certain: his talk will be energetic, entertaining, and rich with practical insight.
With Henri, it’s always about the same core values: learning, energizing the community, and having fun working on mainframe technology.
Joseph Westman — Turning Mainframe Capability into Business Value
Joseph Westman embodies the hands‑on leadership found in highly regulated enterprise environments. After years as a director in the financial sector, the natural habitat of mission‑critical mainframe operations, he has mastered the rare skill of speaking both “engineer” and “executive.”
Westman excels at turning complex mainframe capabilities into practical, actionable strategies for efficiency, cost reduction, automation, resilience, and DevOps transformation.
If the mainframe could choose its own superhero, his colleagues joke, it would probably pick Joseph, and the Mighty Mainframe 2026 audience will soon understand why.
This year’s Mighty Mainframe speakers offer a powerful blend of expertise, vision, and real‑world experience. Their sessions will cover a broad spectrum of topics, from AI and security to architectural leadership, community culture, and practical enterprise experience, proving that the mainframe is anything but static.
We look forward to seeing how these experts will shape the 2026 Mighty Mainframe program and inspire everyone building the future of enterprise systems!