NASA Dismisses Indian-Origin Diversity Head After Reassigning Her Role Amid Trump-Era Scrutiny

Neela Rajendra, an Indian-origin official who previously led NASA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, has been dismissed from her position—even after the agency had reassigned her to a newly created role in an apparent attempt to sidestep U.S. President Donald Trump’s clampdown on DEI initiatives in federal agencies.

Rajendra was removed from her role this week, which had recently been rebranded as head of the “Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success.” This new position, according to reports, was designed to retain her amid growing scrutiny, particularly following the layoff of 900 employees from NASA in 2024 due to budget cuts.

Before her termination, Rajendra had overseen NASA’s central diversity office and was actively involved in the “Black Excellence Strategic Team” as recently as March. She had previously sparked controversy for suggesting that strict project deadlines could hinder inclusive work environments.

Despite NASA officially dissolving its diversity office in March 2025—after Trump’s executive order banning DEI programs in all federal agencies—Rajendra initially remained with the agency. Instead of being let go, she was reassigned under a different title, with largely similar responsibilities. An internal memo dated March 10 announced her new designation as Chief of the Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success, a department that would continue to oversee employee “affinity groups,” including the Black Excellence team.

During her time at NASA, Rajendra had been a key advocate for workplace diversity. She championed initiatives such as the “Space Workforce 2030” pledge, which emphasized hiring more women and minorities within the space industry. On LinkedIn, she described her mission in the newly created office as “unlocking our potential to Dare Mighty Things TOGETHER,” highlighting her focus on collective progress and inclusivity.

Her continued presence at NASA following the major layoffs and dismantling of the DEI office had raised eyebrows, particularly among critics of such programs. However, with her recent dismissal, it appears that NASA has now fully complied with the administration’s directives, bringing Rajendra’s tenure at the agency to a close.