Neela Rajendra, a prominent Indian American leader at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), was recently dismissed from her post after a sweeping executive order by former President Donald Trump led to the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies. The order banned diversity training and programming, forcing NASA to close its independent DEI department—an action that triggered the eventual termination of Rajendra, who had spearheaded several of the agency’s inclusion programs.
Rajendra had long been at the helm of NASA’s mission to build a more inclusive environment, focusing on advancing opportunities for women and minority professionals. Though the organization attempted to retain her by reassigning her role to fit within new regulatory frameworks, this effort ultimately did not succeed. Her departure highlighted the broader impact of the administration’s decision to scale back DEI efforts nationwide.
Before her removal, Rajendra played a key role in launching initiatives such as “Space Workforce 2030,” aimed at increasing diversity in the aerospace workforce. She had also led programs including the “Black Excellence Strategic Team,” and was recently assigned to the “Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success.” Her appointment was met with internal praise, and she expressed optimism in a LinkedIn post about unlocking the potential of teamwork at NASA. However, her optimism was undercut by the harsh federal policy changes that eventually led to the end of her tenure.
NASA’s JPL confirmed Rajendra’s exit through an official email, with Director Laurie Leshin expressing gratitude for her contributions. Although Rajendra survived earlier mass DEI staff layoffs—where more than 900 individuals were let go during budget cuts—her final dismissal marked a significant moment in the federal government’s retreat from structured diversity programs. The move not only signaled a departure from progressive hiring efforts but also spotlighted the fragility of institutional DEI support in politically volatile environments.
