From the early days of the mainframe, women have been instrumental in coding and supporting government and research efforts. Inspired by pioneers like Grace Hopper, today’s women continue to advance the platform, driving innovation in the mainframe ecosystem.
 

Jeanne Glass, founder and CEO of VirtualZ Computing, is one of these trailblazers. Influenced by Hopper’s work with COBOL, Glass has been connected to the mainframe since her college years. Today, she leads VirtualZ, the first and only women-founded mainframe software vendor in the platform’s 60-year history. Glass also holds patents and has built a diverse team within the company.
 

"VirtualZ is unique in the mainframe space, not only as a women-founded company but also as the first Native American-founded mainframe ISV. We’re also the first mainframe software startup to emerge since around 2012," Glass notes.
 

Honoring Pioneers and Building Community

For Women’s History Month, Glass reflects on the pioneers who paved the way, such as Jean E. Sammet, a contributor to COBOL’s development and its ANSI standardization, and Frances Allen, the first woman to win the Turing Award for her contributions to compiler optimization and parallel computing—both foundational for mainframes.
 

Glass draws inspiration from today’s women in the field, who actively lift others, offer advice, and foster connections. She highlights women like Deb Carbo, Nicole Fagen, and Megan Rupert at Broadcom; Mari Bray at Tech Channel; Martha McConaghy and Karla Houser from SHARE’s Women in IT initiative; Lisa Dyer at Ensono; and many more innovators who continue to shape the industry.
 

“These women are not just trailblazers—they’re champions for others, always ready to help and inspire the next generation of mainframe leaders,” Glass says.
 

Driving Innovation and Fostering Inclusion

VirtualZ Computing has achieved significant milestones, including patenting software innovations that enhance data-sharing capabilities with products like Lozen, Zaac, and PropelZ. But Glass hasn’t stopped with corporate success. Recognizing the need for greater diversity in the mainframe industry, she co-founded the “Making Our Strong Community Stronger” initiative with Broadcom’s Greg Lotko. Now in its fourth year, this DEI initiative continues to grow, fostering inclusion across the industry.
 

Upcoming Events for "Making Our Strong Community Stronger":

• August 4-8: A live panel on “Closing the Multigenerational Gap in Business” at SHARE in Kansas City.
• November 13: A webinar honoring Native American Heritage Month, focusing on Native Americans in IT.
   

Empowering the Next Generation

Glass encourages women entering mainframe careers to get involved with organizations like SHARE and the “Making Our Strong Community Stronger” initiative. These platforms provide resources, networking opportunities, and connections with industry peers. SHARE, in particular, offers events such as “Encouraging Women in IT” and technical sessions led by top mainframe experts. The Women in IT (WIT) Focus Area is also a hub for mentorship and inspiration, with Glass recommending it as a great place to meet influential women in the field and access resources tailored to help women succeed.
 

Through mentorship and community-building, Glass is helping to ensure that the mainframe continues to evolve and meet new business challenges, just as it has for the past 60 years.