Denise Gray received the Technologist of the Year Award at the 2017 WOC Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Conference in Detroit, Michigan.

The award is presented to women who create innovations, opening up opportunities in STEM fields for those underrepresented in scientific and technical careers.

Gray earned industry-wide respect as the director of global battery systems engineering at General Motors (GM), where her team developed and launched the lithium-ion battery system used in the Chevrolet Volt, working closely with the LG Chem team.

Later, as president of LG Chem Power Inc., the North American subsidiary of LG Chem, Korea, she was responsible for the strategic direction, engineering, and business development activities of the business.

Gray was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), a nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership in service to the nation, in 2022.

Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering research, practice, or education, including, significant contributions to the engineering literature" and to "the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education."

According to the NAE press release, Gray was inducted for leadership in the development and production of electronic controls and battery systems for electrified passenger car propulsion system applications.

“I’m deeply honored to be elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering, one of the most prestigious engineering organizations in the country,” Gray said in a statement. I have dedicated my life to pursuing excellence in engineering. I am humbled to be recognized this way.”

Other notable members of the NAE include the 2009 Technologist of the Year, Norma B. Clayton, who retired as Vice President of Learning, Training, and Development at the Boeing Company.

Clayton was elected for leadership in transforming manufacturing processes and supply chain management and for innovative training programs for commercial aerospace industries.