Award Spotlight: Natasha Dahl Receives Keane Award for Distinguished Service to an AACE Section
Recognizing dedicated leadership, volunteer service, and a commitment to strengthening the AACE community.
Natasha Dahl, CCP PSP
AACE International is proud to recognize Natasha Dahl, CCP PSP, as the recipient of the Keane Award for Distinguished Service to an AACE Section.
The Keane Award recognizes AACE members who have demonstrated sustained leadership and service at the section level. Recipients have contributed to the growth and success of their sections while furthering the principles of Total Cost Management and creating meaningful opportunities for members to learn, connect, and grow.
For Natasha, receiving the award was an unexpected and meaningful recognition of work she describes as a true “labor of love.”
“I’m incredibly honored to have received the Keane Award this year,” Natasha said. “It was honestly unexpected, and I’m grateful to have my efforts recognized by my fellow colleagues at AACE.”
A Commitment to Service and Leadership
Natasha joined AACE in 2017 and quickly became an active member of the Association. She earned her Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) designation in 2019, followed by her Certified Cost Professional (CCP) designation in 2022.
Her volunteer leadership began with the Delaware Valley Section, where she served as Secretary from 2019 to 2020. Natasha served as co-chair of the Rising Professionals Committee from 2020–2022, helping organize technical webinars as well as virtual networking activities designed to keep members engaged and connected.
She then went on to serve two terms as Region 2 Director from 2023 to 2026. During that time, she served as Planning Committee Chair for three successful Region 2 Symposiums, bringing professionals together for education, knowledge sharing, and networking.
While the Keane Award recognizes Natasha’s individual contributions, she is quick to credit the many volunteers who work alongside her.
“I am just one part of the organization, one part of Region 2, where every section leader is taking on efforts to keep their members engaged, learning, and networking. If you know me, you’ll often hear me say that it’s a labor of love—and I mean it.”
This is not Natasha’s first recognition from AACE. In 2021, she received the Outstanding Rising Professional Award, honoring her early contributions to the profession and the Association.
Professionally, Natasha serves as a Senior Director in Ankura’s Construction Disputes & Advisory practice, where she continues to bring her experience and expertise to the industry.
The People and Knowledge Behind AACE
For Natasha, the greatest value of AACE membership comes down to two things.
“I am a member of AACE for the people and, of course, the knowledge sharing. The AACE members are early career professionals or top-in-their-field SMEs, and everyone in between. I keep coming back because the people are fantastic and brilliant, including HQ staff.”
Whether attending an event, joining a conference call, participating in a webinar, or volunteering alongside other members, Natasha sees every interaction as an opportunity to learn something new.
“Every event, every conference call or webinar, I learn something new. I hear how others work through similar problems, and the depth and breadth of experience across the organization is mind blowing.”
Her experience has also made her an advocate for getting involved beyond simply becoming a member.
“Join and you won’t look back! I also encourage everyone to get involved at their local section level because it’s a rewarding experience both personally and professionally.”
Natasha’s journey reflects the impact that dedicated volunteers can have on their local sections, their fellow members, and AACE as a whole. Through years of service, leadership, and a genuine commitment to creating opportunities for others, she has helped strengthen the community that she values so deeply.
Congratulations to Natasha Dahl, CCP PSP, on receiving the Keane Award for Distinguished Service to an AACE Section and on this well-deserved recognition of her contributions to AACE and the profession.