My ISA Story: From Shrimp Boil to Section President

From Industry Event to ISA Leadership: An Automation Professional’s Journey

Krysta La Bruna’s path to ISA leadership began unexpectedly at a community shrimp boil in 2022. Consequently, her story demonstrates how professional connections in industrial automation can transform careers.

Unexpected Beginning in Automation Community

La Bruna attended the 2022 ISA Wilmington Section Shrimp Boil as an ACE representative. Initially, she went primarily for networking and food. However, conversations with section leaders immediately sparked her interest in ISA membership. Therefore, this casual industry event ultimately launched her automation leadership journey.

Rapid Advancement in ISA Leadership Roles

Section leaders quickly recruited La Bruna for the executive board. Subsequently, she began as Membership Chair, focusing on:

• Welcoming new automation professionals
• Developing engagement strategies
• Building community connections
• Retaining existing members

As a result, her effective work led to increasing responsibilities within two years.

National Exposure at Automation Leadership Conference

The 2023 Automation Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs significantly expanded her perspective. Specifically, this event featured:

• Technical sessions on PLC and DCS systems
• Career development workshops
• Volunteer strategy discussions
• Industry networking opportunities

Furthermore, she reconnected with engineering colleagues from early career projects. Consequently, this experience energized her local section initiatives.

Expanding Responsibilities as Program Chair

By 2024, La Bruna had advanced to Program Chair. Accordingly, her duties included planning technical presentations and coordinating section events. Interestingly, she helped organize the same shrimp boil that originally introduced her to ISA. Moreover, the event now symbolizes community building in industrial automation.

Stepping Up to Section Leadership

When the section president relocated in 2024, La Bruna accepted the Secretary/President-Elect position. Specifically, she recognized that volunteer leadership ensures section survival. Therefore, she will assume the presidency by summer 2026.

Diverse Leadership in Industrial Automation

La Bruna particularly values her section’s diverse leadership team. For instance, the board includes three women in key positions. Nevertheless, this representation remains uncommon in automation industries. Additionally, they strengthened connections with University of Delaware engineering students.

Tangible Impact on Next Generation

The section’s outreach already shows significant results. For example, they gained their first student member last semester. Similarly, other students attended section meetings regularly. Thus, these developments demonstrate ISA’s growing appeal among automation students.

Industry Context and Professional Development

The International Society of Automation celebrates 80 years of industry leadership. According to MarketsandMarkets, the industrial automation market will reach $306 billion by 2027. Furthermore, ISA standards govern critical control systems including:

• PLC programming protocols
• DCS implementation guidelines
• Factory automation safety standards
• Instrumentation calibration procedures

Expert Analysis: Leadership Development in Automation

From World of PLC’s perspective, La Bruna’s story illustrates important industry trends. First, professional societies address the automation skills gap effectively. Second, diverse leadership strengthens technical organizations. Third, community events serve as crucial recruitment tools.

Moreover, industrial automation professionals should consider that ISA provides:

• Technical standard development
• Career advancement opportunities
• Professional networking platforms
• Knowledge sharing channels

For professionals working with industrial control systems and PLC programming, World of PLC Limited offers comprehensive resources and technical support.

Career Benefits of Professional Association Involvement

ISA membership delivers measurable career advantages. Specifically, these include:

• Access to latest automation standards
• Technical skill development opportunities
• Industry networking connections
• Leadership experience building
• Mentorship possibilities

Frequently Asked Questions

How does ISA membership benefit automation professionals?
Members gain technical standards access and networking opportunities.

What leadership roles exist in technical societies?
Members can progress from committees to section leadership positions.

How can students enter industrial automation?
Student membership and technical education provide crucial entry points.

Not long after, Shawn passed my name to the section president, and I was quickly “voluntold” to join the executive board. Before I knew it, I became the Membership Chair. For the next two years, I focused on welcoming new members and keeping our community engaged.

One of the highlights during this time was traveling to Colorado Springs for the Automation Leadership Conference in 2023, which was my first time seeing ISA at a national level. Between the technical sessions, the career development talks and a volunteer workshop full of fresh ideas, I returned energized thinking about what we could do in Wilmington. It was also a great opportunity to network and meet people who are passionate about the organization. I was even able to reconnect with an engineer who I originally met while working on my first ever project in the industry.

In 2024 I stepped into the Program Chair role—planning meetings, lining up speakers for technical presentations and helping organize events. This role also included taking a larger role in coordinating the beloved Shrimp Boil. It’s funny how my ISA journey started with that event, and now I can carry on the tradition that so many people look forward to each year. For us, it’s more than just shrimp and corn—it’s the one night every year when people from all corners of our community come together to learn and connect.

Earlier this year, I learned that our section president was relocating, and I was asked to step up as Secretary/President-Elect. I’ll admit that at first, I was a little nervous to become next-in-line for the section presidency. But then I realized: if we don’t step up, the section fades. By summer 2026, I’ll be serving as president, and I’m excited to keep building on what we’ve started.

What makes me most proud right now is who’s sitting around the table with me. Our section board is young, energized and—perhaps unexpectedly—we have three women in leadership. That’s not common in automation, and I love being a part of that change. We’re also making stronger connections with students at the University of Delaware, and it’s already paying off. Last semester we had our first student member join the section, and had other students attend a section meeting. Seeing that kind of impact firsthand is what it’s all about.

When I think about why ISA matters to me, it’s simple: it’s where my world of automation and my world of community come together. ISA develops the standards I use every day, but it also gives me a space to grow, learn and give back.