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Los Angeles/Apr 15, 2025 In the United States, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has terminated Neela Rajendra, an Indian-origin executive who was leading the agency's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Her removal aligns with a broad executive directive issued by former President Donald Trump aimed at dismantling DEI efforts across all federal departments. The order, issued in 2024, asserted that DEI programs foster division, waste taxpayer money, and undermine merit-based hiring principles. In response to the mandate, NASA initially attempted to retain Rajendra by reassigning her to a newly formed position titled “Chief of the Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success.” The role excluded any explicit DEI reference but allowed her to maintain similar responsibilities. Despite the rebranding effort, the move ultimately did not prevent her dismissal. According to several media outlets, Rajendra was officially let go from her position last week. JPL Director Laurie Leshin confirmed the departure in a statement, saying, “Neela Rajendra is no longer working at [Jet Propulsion Laboratory]. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact she made on our organization. We wish her the very best.” Rajendra had previously served as NASA’s Chief DEI Officer, playing a pivotal role in advancing inclusive hiring strategies and fostering equity in the workplace. She was also deeply involved in key initiatives such as NASA’s “Space Workforce 2030” pledge, which focused on boosting representation of women and minority groups in space-related fields. Additionally, she led JPL’s Black Excellence Strategic Team. Her exit is seen as part of a larger overhaul at NASA, which experienced a wave of restructuring in 2024 that included nearly 900 layoffs. The closure of JPL’s diversity office was among the most prominent changes tied to this shift.
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