Synopsis
Neela Rajendra, the Indian-origin head of NASA's DEI efforts, has been dismissed following Donald Trump's executive order aimed at dismantling DEI initiatives across federal agencies. Despite attempts to retain her, her departure reflects a broader federal trend affecting DEI programs.Key Takeaways
- Neela Rajendra was terminated from NASA following Trump's executive order.
- She had previously been reassigned to a new department to protect her position.
- Rajendra played a significant role in DEI initiatives, including Space Workforce 2030.
- The executive order aims to eliminate DEI programs across federal agencies.
- NASA has closed its diversity offices in response to the order.
Washington, April 15 (NationPress) Neela Rajendra, who led NASA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, has been formally removed from her role following an executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at dismantling DEI programs across federal agencies.
Rajendra’s dismissal follows weeks of efforts within NASA to keep her by altering her title.
In March, she was reassigned to head a new department, the “Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success,” which was interpreted as an effort to protect her from the repercussions of the executive order.
Despite the change in title, her primary duties, which included overseeing employee support programs and managing groups such as the “Black Excellence Strategic Team,” remained largely unchanged.
Nonetheless, the Trump administration's intensified restrictions on DEI programs earlier this month led to her termination, even after NASA's attempts to sustain her role under a different title.
An internal message circulated at JPL last week confirmed her exit, stating, “Neela Rajendra is no longer working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We are profoundly appreciative of the lasting impact she had on our organization. We wish her all the best.”
This announcement, reportedly sent by JPL Director Laurie Leshin, marked the conclusion of Rajendra's lengthy association with the space agency.
Previously, she played a pivotal role in initiatives like the “Space Workforce 2030” pledge, which aimed to enhance the participation of women and minority groups within NASA's workforce. Her departure is part of a larger federal effort that has already seen hundreds of DEI-related positions eliminated across various government sectors.
President Trump's executive order claims that DEI initiatives foster division, misappropriate taxpayer funds, and have led to discriminatory practices. NASA has joined several agencies in completely closing their diversity offices in response.
