As my term as President of AACE International draws to a close, I am honored to address you, the association members and volunteers. It has been a remarkable journey, and I am humbled by the trust and support you have bestowed upon me and the entire board during our tenure.

Over the past year, our collective efforts to refine and implement our strategic plan have continued to propel AACE International to new heights, solidifying its position as a leading authority in the field of cost engineering and project controls. Through the tireless dedication of our volunteers and members, we have fostered an environment of continuous learning, professional development, and knowledge sharing.

I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to each and every member of our esteemed association boards, committees, sub committees, special interest group and section leadership. Your unwavering commitment to excellence and active engagement have been instrumental in our success. Together, we are creating a vibrant professional community that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence.

Throughout our journey, we are reimagining what aacei.org can do for us as our digital hub. It has always been the central nervous system for providing a wealth of resources and opportunities for professional growth. Through the efforts of headquarters and the introduction of a new association management system database, our website is evolving into an even more invaluable platform, offering comprehensive tools, industry best practices, engagement access points and a wealth of educational materials that empower our members to excel in their respective roles.

Our commitment to delivering relevant and timely content has been, and continues to be, at the forefront of our efforts. Through aacei.org, we have expanded the availability of cutting-edge research in collaboration with many of our strategic partners such as RICS, CMAA, and the ABA, among a select few others. We continue to expand our library of peer-reviewed recommended practices, technical papers, and thought leadership articles, ensuring that our members stay at the forefront of the industry’s advancements. It is through these resources that we have fostered professional competency, enabling our members to face the challenges of our ever-evolving profession with confidence and expertise.

Furthermore, our commitment to diversity and inclusion has been unwavering. AACE International aims to be a place where every member feels valued and has an equal opportunity to contribute and thrive. By embracing diversity in all its forms, we have enriched our association with a myriad of perspectives and experiences, enabling us to tackle complex problems with creativity and innovation. We continue to work on how we can leverage tools to better serve our members in an equitable and accessible manner and this goal is a fundamental tenant tied to many of our strategic plan actions.

I am immensely proud of the collaborations and partnerships we have forged during our tenure. We have strengthened our ties with other professional organizations, educational institutions, and industry leaders over the course of this past year.  In so doing, we are ensuring that AACE International remains at the forefront of global cost engineering and project controls initiatives and strategic asset management concerns. These partnerships have amplified our collective voice, enhanced our professional network, and extended our impact beyond what we could have achieved alone. As we, and our industries, continue to:

• look for ways to navigate the complex operational environment resulting from the pandemic, global wars, and cyber security concerns;
• collectively try to learn how to address or incorporate new innovations such as AI;

the ability to access AACE’s intellectual property and technical content has never been more necessary to help guide our profession through the uncertainty of our current project landscape.

As I reflect on our accomplishments over this past year, I am filled with optimism for the future of AACE International. The incoming board, under new leadership, is poised to build upon our successes, ensuring that the association continues to thrive and meets the evolving needs of our members. I have every confidence in their abilities and encourage you to offer them your full support.

To each and every member of the AACE International community, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication and contribution to our shared vision. Your enthusiasm, passion, and expertise have been a driving force behind our accomplishments, together we will continue to shape the future of our profession.

In closing, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the privilege of serving as your President. It has been an honour to work alongside such an exceptional group of professionals. I encourage you all to remain actively engaged, to continue pursuing excellence, and to support the incoming board as they lead AACE International into its next chapter.

Shoshanna