Who Is Neela Rajendra? Indian-Origin NASA JPL Diversity Officer Terminated Amid Political Tensions

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Neela Rajendra, the Indian-origin Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has been terminated from her position.

As reported by the New York Post, this development follows reports that JPL had previously attempted to retain her by reassigning her to a newly created role, "Chief of the Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success," after President Trump's 2024 executive order aimed at eliminating federal DEI initiatives.

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Neela Rajendra's exit from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has stirred attention, particularly given the broader political and institutional context surrounding it.

As reported by Daily Mail, in an all-staff email sent on Thursday, JPL director Laurie Leshin confirmed her exit, stating,“Neela Rajendra is no longer working at [the Jet Propulsion Laboratory]. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact she made to our organization. We wish her the very best.”

Her removal is notable not only because of her role but also because it comes amid a wave of changes tied to US President Donald Trump's stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

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Throughout 2024, nearly 900 employees were laid off at the NASA facility due to budget constraints, and JPL's diversity office was officially eliminated, said the report. Yet, Rajendra-who had been a central figure in those initiatives-remained quietly employed, with her title changed to "head of employee success."

Reports suggest that while references to DEI were scrubbed from her official profile, she continued many of the same responsibilities under the new title.

In fact, as recently as early March, she was still leading JPL's Black Excellence Strategic Team, underscoring how her role evolved in name but not necessarily in function. Her eventual departure reflects the growing tension between institutional values and shifting federal priorities, making her exit not just a staffing change but a symbol of a broader ideological shift.

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According to her her LinkedIn profile, Neela Rajendra described her role in the newly rebranded office as being focused on“unlocking our potential to Dare Mighty Things TOGETHER,” a nod to JPL's iconic motto and a clear attempt to emphasize unity and collaboration within the lab.

When the office was launched under the title Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success, JPL Director Laurie Leshin framed the transition as a strategic move, calling it“essential for [JPL's] future success” and a natural continuation of Rajendra's skills and focus areas.

Before the shift, Rajendra had been a central figure in NASA's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She played a major role in initiatives like the“Space Workforce 2030” pledge, which sought to improve representation of women and minorities within the aerospace industry.

Her leadership in that campaign signaled her commitment to long-term structural change.

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Neela Rajendra is no longer working at [the Jet Propulsion Laboratory]. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact she made to our organization.

In a 2022 presentation, she openly acknowledged the challenges of achieving inclusion goals within high-pressure, fast-paced environments like JPL, citing“extreme deadlines” as a significant barrier to progress-an insight reported by The Beacon. Her recent dismissal, especially after being quietly reassigned rather than laid off like many others in the diversity office, underscores growing tensions between organizational commitments to DEI and shifting political and institutional pressures.

(With inputs from agencies)

Key Takeaways

• Rajendra's exit highlights the tension between organizational diversity commitments and federal political shifts.
• The elimination of JPL's diversity office raises concerns about the future of DEI initiatives in federal agencies.
• Rajendra's rebranding from DEI officer to head of employee success illustrates the struggle to maintain diversity efforts under political pressures.

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