Katherine Eid

Discovering Tools for Creative Expression

Raju Luitel

From Intern to Comptroller

Raju Luitel was studying to be a Chartered Certified Accountant in Katmandu, Nepal, when he heard about MIU through a friend. He wanted to study abroad, so he immediately visited the local Transcendental Meditation® center for more information. “They explained the block system, the paid internship, and everything matched; I applied that day,” he said.

Raju started the Accounting Professionals MBA in 2008. He felt immediately welcomed on campus and enjoyed the international family of students and faculty. “TM helped me focus on my studies and adapt to the new environment and culture,” he said.

After completing his on-campus studies, Raju moved to the Washington, D.C. area in search of a paid internship. In spite of being in the middle of the financial crisis, he found a job within two months at The Tower Companies, a family-owned sustainable commercial real estate development firm in Maryland.

Raju began at accounts payable and a couple of years later, using his IT experience, he helped the company transition to a new property management software. “That experience helped me grow my career because I got the opportunity to work with every department at the company,” he said.

Raju has been with The Tower Companies ever since and is now the comptroller, working directly with the ownership. He has received three employee awards, including the Albert Abramson Annual Award of Excellence, named for the founder of the company.

Raju enjoys the healthy work environment in the LEED Platinum Certified office building which houses the company’s headquarters. He also appreciates that the practice of the TM program is one of the company’s benefits and values, with a meditation room on site.

Raju’s wife, whom he met at MIU, also works at The Tower Companies. He spends most of his free time with his family, including his three young children. He also enjoys stargazing, reading books, and watching movies.

Bill Thompson

A Career in Sustainable and Life-Supporting Business

MIU alumnus Bill Thompson grew up in the small town of Moberly, Missouri. At age 16 he hitchhiked to San Francisco, where he learned the Transcendental Meditation® technique. “I knew from my very first meditation that I wanted to teach TM,” he said. “My experience was so deep and blissful, I wanted to share it with others.” Bill worked three jobs to save money for the course and became a teacher of the Transcendental Meditation technique at age 19.

During the next two decades, Bill taught the TM® technique, attended MIU, and worked in real estate development in Texas and Florida. He managed the development of Radiance Ideal Village in Austin, Texas, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Capital of the Age of Enlightenment in Florida. He co-founded Agriboard Industries, which manufactured sustainable building systems from compressed wheat straw.

In 1999 Bill began working at Global ID Group, where he was promoted to CEO of Genetic ID within a few years. He set up a worldwide network of 22 laboratories for identifying genetically modified organisms, critical to creating the company’s global brand of non-GMO food testing and certification. Between 2009 and 2015 he revived the company’s European subsidiary, expanding the customer base in over 50 countries.

After 17 years at Global ID Group, Bill moved to Sky Factory and helped grow the company’s international sales network.

“I have been blessed in my career that I have always worked with companies embracing life-supporting missions,” said Bill, “whether promoting safe and ethical food, expanding consciousness, creating sustainable building systems, or improving patients’ hospital experience.”

Throughout his career, Bill has done business in 45 countries and truly experienced that the world is his family. “I have met so many people from diverse cultures and was able to relate to them on a deep level, from the foundation of consciousness that binds all of us,” he said.

Bill is now semi-retired, living in Fairfield. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially with his first grandson, and he is exploring new sustainable business opportunities.

Jennifer Kachler

Writer, Producer, Director