Award recognizes individuals who have been instrumental in the inland port’s growth and development
May 28, 2026 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Diane Gray received the second annual CentrePort Canada Footprint Award at the CentrePort Canada (“CentrePort”) Spring Mixer on May 27, 2026. This annual event brings together partners, government officials, and stakeholders for an afternoon of celebration and connection.
The CentrePort Canada Footprint Award recognizes an individual whose contributions and influence left an indelible impression in carving out the path to CentrePort’s success. The award recognizes leadership, vision, and dedication among those supporters who were vital to CentrePort’s growth and success.
In 2009, Gray was hired as the founding President & CEO of CentrePort Canada Inc. following a global search facilitated by the Board of Directors. She led the organization from 2009 to 2022, overseeing the creation of the master plan and strategy for CentrePort that ultimately resulted in transforming empty fields from a vision into a reality – a thriving tri-modal inland port. Other accomplishments during Diane’s tenure include: securing the special planning area, working with municipal governments on staged servicing plans for CentrePort North and South, and advancing the development plan for the CentrePort Canada Rail Park in collaboration with a private developer.
Today, CentrePort is regarded as the most established and successful inland port in Canada, generating over $1 billion in private sector investment to date.
“Receiving the CentrePort Canada Footprint Award is very meaningful to me,” said Gray. “This award is a shared celebration of the vision and execution by so many private and public sector partners. It truly takes a whole province to see the potential and realize the opportunity for Manitoba’s economy and Canada’s future. I continue to be impressed by the investment in and the growth of the inland port and congratulate the CentrePort Board and team for their ongoing leadership.”
“On behalf of our Board and the CentrePort community, we deeply thank Diane for her contributions. Thanks to her vision, determination and dedication, Diane built a new legacy in trade and transportation that will create economic growth for decades to come in our province,” said Carly Edmundson, current President & CEO of CentrePort Canada Inc. “She has, and will continue to, inspire me, and so many others, with her accomplishments and leadership.”
Since 2009, CentrePort Canada has become one of North America’s largest trimodal inland ports, with over 1,000 companies located on site. At full build out, the inland port will boost Manitoba’s GDP by nearly $8 billion and generate almost 100,000 person-years of employment. Last year’s inaugural Footprint Award was presented to former Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. The award will continue to be presented to individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and long-term commitment to advancing CentrePort Canada and its mission to grow Manitoba’s role in global trade and logistics.
About CentrePort Canada
CentrePort Canada is a 20,000-acre inland port and Foreign Trade Zone. Located in the heart of North America, CentrePort connects to major national and international trade gateways and corridors, and is the only inland port in the country with direct access to tri-modal transportation – extensive truck, rail and air cargo operations. www.centreportcanada.ca
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For more information, please contact:
Casey Challes
Manager, Marketing & Communications
CentrePort Canada Inc.
204.979.1179
cchalles@centreport.ca
Click here to download a PDF of the media release.
Photography by BRD | Brand Revival & Design Inc. (Riley Martin)
