Who is Neela Rajendra? Indian-origin NASA JPL diversity officer terminated amid political tensions
- Neela Rajendra was fired from her role at NASA after the agency changed her designation to comply with Donald Trump's executive order banning DEI programs in government agencies.
- Rajendra had led initiatives to diversify NASA, such as the 'Space Workforce 2030' pledge aimed at hiring women and minorities.
- An email from Director Laurie Leshin confirmed Rajendra's exit, expressing gratitude for her impact on NASA.
- NASA closed its diversity department in March 2025, following an executive order from Donald Trump that banned DEI programs, which he claimed 'have divided Americans by race, color, and gender.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Who Is Neela Rajendra, NASA's Indian-Origin DEI Chief Sacked Because of Donald Trump? Here's Why
Washington DC: Neela Rajendra, Indian-origin Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Chief at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), was recently sacked from her position."Neela Rajendra is no longer working at [the Jet Propulsion Laboratory]. We are incredibly grateful for the l
NASA fires Indian-origin DEI chief Neela Rajendra after Trump's anti-DEI executive order
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has officially parted ways with Neela Rajendra, its Indian-origin head of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), despite earlier efforts to retain her by altering her title following the shutdown of the lab’s DEI department in March. The move comes in the wake of an executive order from President Donald Trump that bans DEI initiatives across executive branch agencies. According to an internal email sent by…
Who is Neela Rajendra? Indian-origin NASA JPL diversity officer terminated amid political tensions
Neela Rajendra, chief DEI officer at NASA's JPL, has been terminated despite the space agency appearing to change her title in an attempt to spare her from President Donald Trump’s executive order ending federal DEI initiatives.
NASA's Indian-Origin Diversity Chief Sacked After Trump's Executive Order
NASA's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or DEI chief Neela Rajendra, who is of Indian origin, has been sacked by the US space agency in compliance with Donald Trump's executive order to "terminate" all persons employed under such initiatives.
NASA Fires Indian-Origin Diversity Chief After Changing Her Designation To Avoid Trump Crackdown
Rajendra's role as NASA's chief diversity officer came under scrutiny after she escaped 900 job cuts at the space agency last year. She was allowed to continue at NASA with a new title.
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