Key Points
- NASA has dismissed Neela Rajendra, its Indian-origin Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), following a federal order to end all DEI programs.
- The move comes after President Donald Trump’s executive order banning DEI initiatives in all US government agencies, with support from Elon Musk.
- NASA had previously tried to retain Rajendra by rebranding her role, but she was ultimately removed in April 2025.
- Rajendra led major diversity efforts, including the “Space Workforce 2030” pledge to boost representation of women and minorities in STEM.
- Her exit follows the layoff of nearly 900 DEI staff at NASA in 2024 and signals a broader rollback of diversity programs across US federal agencies.
Washington D.C.: NASA has removed Neela Rajendra, its Indian-origin Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), as part of a sweeping rollback of diversity initiatives across US federal agencies. The move follows a March 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump, which mandated the immediate termination of all DEI programs in government bodies, arguing that such initiatives foster division and undermine merit-based systems.
Background: A Federal Crackdown on DEI
The Trump administration’s order, supported by Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk, directed agencies to dismantle DEI offices and end related contracts. NASA, which had invested over $22 million annually in DEI efforts, responded by shutting down its central diversity division in March. This led to the layoff of nearly 900 DEI employees in 2024, though Rajendra initially survived the cuts.
NASA’s Attempt to Retain Rajendra
In an effort to comply with the order while retaining Rajendra’s expertise, NASA rebranded her position from Chief DEI Officer to “Head of the Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success.” Her new responsibilities included overseeing employee groups like the Black Excellence Strategic Team, but her core mission of promoting workplace inclusion remained unchanged.
Despite these changes, Rajendra was ultimately dismissed in early April 2025. An internal email from JPL Director Laurie Leshin confirmed her departure, stating, “Neela Rajendra is no longer working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact she made to our organisation. We wish her the very best”.
Rajendra’s Role and Impact at NASA
Rajendra joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2021, leading efforts to diversify the agency’s workforce. She was instrumental in launching the “Space Workforce 2030” pledge, a national initiative aimed at increasing the hiring of women and minorities in STEM fields. Her work focused on building inclusive teams and embedding values into NASA’s organizational culture.
Before NASA, Rajendra held leadership roles in diversity and inclusion at several organizations, including the Science of Diversity and Inclusion Initiative (SODI) and Claremont McKenna College’s Kravis Leadership Institute.
Wider Implications and Reactions
Rajendra’s removal is part of a broader trend, as federal agencies across the US dismantle DEI programs in response to the Trump administration’s directive. Supporters of DEI argue these initiatives are vital for addressing systemic inequality, while critics claim they promote unfair practices and waste taxpayer money.
NASA’s leadership expressed gratitude for Rajendra’s contributions, but her exit marks the end of a significant chapter in the agency’s diversity efforts. The Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success, which she briefly led, will now be moved under NASA’s Human Resources department.
Neela Rajendra’s departure underscores the shifting landscape of diversity and inclusion in US government agencies, as political priorities reshape the future of workplace equity.
