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

The award is presented to women who create innovation, opening 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 strategic direction, engineering, and business development activities of the business.

In February 2022, the LG Energy Solution Michigan Inc. Tech Center announced that President Denise Gray had been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), a nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership in service to the nation.

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 developing and producing electronic controls and battery systems for electrified passenger car propulsion system applications.

“I’m very honored to be elected as 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 the pursuit of engineering excellence. I am humbled to be recognized this way.”

The NAE has more than 2,000 peer-elected members and international members, senior professionals in business, academia, and government who are among the world’s most accomplished engineers.

Notable members include the 2009 Women of Color Technologist of the Year and retired Boeing executive Norma Clayton. She was elected for leadership in transforming manufacturing processes and supply chain management, and for innovative training programs for commercial aerospace industries.