Washington– NASA has dismissed Neela Rajendra, the Indian-origin head of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, following a sweeping executive order issued by President Donald Trump aimed at eliminating DEI programs across federal agencies.
Rajendra’s removal follows weeks of internal efforts by NASA to retain her, including a move in March by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to reassign her to lead a newly created division called the “Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success.” The rebranding was widely viewed as a strategic attempt to circumvent the executive order while preserving her role and responsibilities.
Although her title changed, Rajendra continued to oversee employee support programs and manage affinity groups, including the “Black Excellence Strategic Team.” However, the administration’s renewed enforcement push earlier this month led to her termination despite NASA’s efforts.
An internal email circulated at JPL last week confirmed Rajendra’s departure. “Neela Rajendra is no longer working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact she made to our organization. We wish her the very best,” read the message, reportedly sent by JPL Director Laurie Leshin.
Rajendra, who served in various roles during her tenure at NASA, was instrumental in initiatives like the “Space Workforce 2030” pledge, which aimed to expand opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities in the agency’s workforce.
Her dismissal is part of a broader rollback of DEI programs across federal agencies. Hundreds of positions tied to diversity and inclusion have already been eliminated in what the administration describes as a move to curb divisiveness, reduce wasteful spending, and prevent what it alleges are discriminatory outcomes associated with such programs.
NASA now joins a growing list of federal agencies that have fully shuttered their DEI offices in response to the executive order. (Source: IANS)
