From the next generation to ensuring our current automation professionals are prepared for leadership roles, developing career skills is a huge part of what we do at the International Society of Automation (ISA). Leadership and culture are the multipliers—building psychological safety, clarity, and opportunity. Attendees at the recent Automation Summit & Expo said that their favorite session was about leadership lessons from bees. ISA sat down after the event with the presenter of that session to get her thoughts.

Speakers:
- Liz Neiman, Host
- Leigh-Kathryn Bonner, Bee Downtown

In this special episode of our podcast, we cover ISA’s flagship event, the Automation Summit and Expo, which took place on 5-7 October 2025. From the expo floor to the keynote stage, everyone was focused on one idea: adapt faster. Today, we’ll go deep on security and cyber resilience, explore edge intelligence and how automation informs data-to-decisions, and hear how immersive training and ISA’s community are shaping the next generation.

Speakers:
- Liz Neiman, Host
- Matt Bolick, Fortinet
- Mike Bova, Acronis
- Sachin Vasudeva, ZEDEDA
- Adne Olsen, representing ISA100
- Tom Liston, Bad Wolf Security
- Joe Bastone, Honeywell
- Bob Rice, Control Station
- Brandon Turnage, IglooVision
- Steve Mustard, National Automation, Inc.
- Andrea Holovach, ISA
- Elijah Bracken, Missouri University of Science and Technology
- David Sanni, Houston Community College
- Leigh-Kathryn Bonner, Bee Downtown
- Ashley Weckwerth, ISA President-Elect
- Leticia Zarpellon, Audubon Companies
- Felipe Sabino Costa, MOXA Americas
- Scott Reynolds, ISA President
- Douglas Hurley, retired NASA astronaut

Farming is one of the oldest industries, but it faces some very modern opportunities and challenges in today's environment. Our panelists share how automation technologies can have a positive impact on farmers, and what cybersecurity measures those who work in the agriculture field should address.

Panelists:

• Leo Staples, Staples Farm, ISA Past President
• Jim McGlone, CTO, Automation Strategy and Performance
• Dr. Ali Dehghantanha, Founding Director, Cyber Science Lab, University of Guelph