NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has removed its top diversity officer after attempting to circumvent a presidential directive by simply renaming her position.
At a Glance
- NASA’s JPL has parted ways with Neela Rajendra, who previously served as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
- JPL initially tried to retain Rajendra by changing her title to head of the “Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success”
- The move appeared to be an attempt to evade President Trump’s executive order ending federal DEI initiatives
- The decision comes after Rajendra was spared from earlier layoffs that affected 900 workers due to budget cuts
- The functions of Rajendra’s former office will now be absorbed into JPL’s Office of Human Resources
Failed Attempt to Retain DEI Leadership
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has officially severed ties with its former diversity chief, Neela Rajendra, following scrutiny over what appeared to be an attempt to circumvent President Trump’s executive order on federal DEI initiatives. JPL Director Laurie Leshin announced the departure in an all-staff email, confirming that the agency’s initial strategy of simply renaming Rajendra’s position had failed. The announcement comes after the Washington Free Beacon reported that JPL had attempted to retain Rajendra by changing her title while maintaining her responsibilities.
The staffing change is particularly notable because Rajendra was not among the approximately 900 employees laid off earlier this year due to budget constraints. Instead, when NASA’s central diversity office was shut down in March following the executive order, JPL leadership created the new “Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success” specifically for Rajendra. This move raised questions about resource allocation priorities during a time of significant budget pressure at the space agency.
Leadership’s Response to the Departure
In her official communication to staff, JPL Director Laurie Leshin emphasized Rajendra’s contributions while confirming the personnel change. “Neela Rajendra is no longer working at [the Jet Propulsion Laboratory],” Leshin wrote. “We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact she made to our organization. We wish her the very best.” The carefully worded statement did not specify whether Rajendra resigned or was terminated, leaving room for speculation about the circumstances surrounding her departure.
“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.” said Laurie Leshin.
According to internal communications, the responsibilities of the short-lived Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success will now be absorbed into JPL’s Office of Human Resources. Despite the leadership change, the office will continue to manage various “affinity groups” including the Black Excellence Strategic Team (B.E.S.T.), highlighting that certain diversity-focused programs remain operational even after the formal DEI structure was dismantled.
Timing and Implications for NASA’s Mission
The controversy surrounding Rajendra’s employment gained additional attention due to its timing – it coincided with two NASA astronauts being stranded on the International Space Station due to a propulsion system issue. The juxtaposition of these events prompted questions about NASA’s priorities and resource allocation, with some critics questioning whether funds directed toward DEI initiatives might be better spent on core mission safety and engineering excellence.
“I believe this change is essential for [Jet Propulsion Lab’s] future success and aligns well with Neela’s strengths and focus over the last year.” said Laurie Leshin.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, in 2022, Rajendra had criticized SpaceX’s corporate culture for its lack of DEI promotion, suggesting it contributed to high attrition rates at the private space company. Ironically, it was a SpaceX capsule that ultimately rescued the stranded astronauts, a fact not lost on observers of the situation. NASA has not provided official comment on these apparent contradictions when questioned by media outlets.
Looking Forward: Employee Success Without DEI
The termination signals a definitive shift in how federal agencies will approach workplace culture and employee development in the current administration. Rajendra had been involved in broader initiatives across the space industry, including the “Space Workforce 2030” pledge, which aimed to increase diversity in aerospace. With her departure and the restructuring of her former responsibilities, NASA’s approach to employee development appears to be shifting toward traditional human resources functions rather than specialized diversity initiatives.
While NASA declined to provide additional context about future plans for employee development programs, the quick creation and dissolution of the Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success demonstrates the challenges government agencies face when navigating changing political directives. For now, JPL will continue its core mission of space exploration and planetary science with its organizational structure aligned with the current administration’s priorities.
