Neela Rajendra, a high-ranking Indian-origin official at NASA, has been removed from her role following U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order that ended all federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Rajendra was previously leading NASA’s diversity programs. Despite NASA’s attempts to retain her by shifting her to a new role, the efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where she was employed, had reassigned her as the head of the “Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success,” a department that oversaw internal employee groups, including the “Black Excellence Strategic Team.” However, she has now been relieved of this position as well.

In a communication to staff, JPL Director Laurie Leshin confirmed Rajendra’s departure, expressing gratitude for her contributions and wishing her well. This follows NASA’s official closure of its DEI office in March, after which Rajendra’s role was repurposed in hopes of complying with the new federal mandate while retaining her expertise.

Who is Neela Rajendra?: Rajendra holds an MBA from Wake Forest University School of Business and dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With over 15 years of experience in inclusion strategies and leadership development, she was known for driving equity-focused initiatives within NASA and beyond.

Before her time at NASA, Rajendra co-founded the Science of Diversity and Inclusion Initiative in Chicago, serving in multiple leadership roles. She also contributed to organizations like Ashoka, Claremont McKenna College’s Kravis Leadership Institute, The Advisory Board Company, and nxtMOVE. At NASA, she played a pivotal role in the "Space Workforce 2030" campaign, which aimed to boost representation of women and minorities in STEM careers. Rajendra was one of the few DEI officers retained during NASA’s previous round of DEI job cuts, where nearly 900 related positions were eliminated due to financial constraints.

Trump Administration’s Stand on DEI: In January 2025, President Trump issued an executive order to dismantle DEI efforts across all federal agencies. The administration argued that such programs foster division along racial and gender lines, misused taxpayer funds, and promoted unfair treatment. The order reversed prior rules supporting affirmative action and required a return to strictly merit-based hiring and promotion.

Downsizing Federal Workforce: In an effort to cut down the size of the federal workforce, the Trump administration rolled out voluntary buyout programs. Reports indicate that over 75,000 of the 2.3 million federal employees accepted these offers in January. A second phase of the program offers paid leave until September 30 for those who agree to exit voluntarily. The ultimate goal is to reduce federal employment by more than 200,000 roles.

Job Reclassification and Budget Cuts: The administration has also introduced a reclassification of federal jobs under a new “Schedule F” category, which strips employees of civil service protections and makes it easier for agencies to terminate staff. As part of broader budget cuts, the Trump administration has proposed eliminating funding for public institutions like NPR and PBS, and cutting $8.3 billion from foreign aid distributed through USAID. These actions are part of an ambitious strategy to reduce government spending by $1 trillion each year.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Linkedin/Neela R.