NASA's Diversity Chief Neela Rajendra Dismissed Amid Trump’s DEI Initiative Rollback

Neela Rajendra's Departure from NASA

Washington: Neela Rajendra, who led NASA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, has been officially removed from her role following an executive order from former President Donald Trump aimed at dismantling DEI programs across federal agencies.

Her dismissal follows weeks of attempts by NASA to retain her by altering her position.

In March, Rajendra was reassigned to lead a newly established department called the 'Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success,' a move perceived as an effort to protect her from the executive order's effects.

Despite the change in title, her primary duties, which included overseeing employee support initiatives and managing groups like the 'Black Excellence Strategic Team,' remained unchanged.

However, the Trump administration's intensified crackdown on DEI initiatives earlier this month resulted in her termination, despite NASA's efforts to maintain her role under a different title.

An internal communication from JPL confirmed her exit, expressing gratitude for her contributions and wishing her well.

This message, reportedly from JPL Director Laurie Leshin, marked the conclusion of Rajendra's significant tenure at NASA.

Rajendra had previously spearheaded initiatives such as the 'Space Workforce 2030' pledge, aimed at boosting the representation of women and minorities within NASA's workforce. Her departure is part of a wider federal effort that has seen numerous DEI positions eliminated across various government sectors.

The executive order issued by President Trump claims that DEI initiatives foster division, misallocate public resources, and have led to discriminatory practices. Consequently, NASA is among several agencies that have completely closed their diversity offices in response.