Our Founders

Abound emerged from a constellation of conversations among the founders, their friends, families and communities. With a global perspective, proven business development and leadership experience, all of the founders of Abound have started and run successful organizations. Committed to sustainability and the potential in our individual and collective capacity to create change, we offer Abound to leaders throughout the world as an opportunity to connect and commit to realizing a sustainable and abundant future.

David Howitt is joint President of The Meriwether Group, Inc. and Meriwether
Capital Partners, LLC, firms that specialize in strategic business acceleration and venture funding for dynamic and disruptive brands and companies. Prior to founding The Meriwether Group, David was the Director of Licensing and Business Development for Adidas America. David also worked closely with his wife Heather on the founding and growth of Oregon Chai. Oregon Chai was a leader in sourcing organic ingredients and employing fair-trade practices in the natural foods category. He and Heather have two beautiful children.

Bill Nootenboom is a serial entrepreneur who has founded, developed and sold
a number of successful businesses in retail, franchising, residential and commercial real estate and international sporting goods manufacturing. Bill is also a highly sought after consultant for high-growth companies and start ups. An attorney as well, Bill has experience in environmental law, mergers and acquisitions and corporate counsel. Many of Bill’s companies have thrived through their commitment to “triple bottom line” and sustainable business practices. Bill enjoys back country adventure, the acceleration of gravity and just hanging out with his wife and three children.

Zach Smith is a principal at Interkannections who specializes in whole-system
change, organization systems design, talent management and leadership development. Zach is also a skilled facilitator and executive coach. He has developed and implemented projects for a number of Fortune 500 and 100 organizations, and also has extensive management experience in human resources, business development and internal consulting in the Japanese service industry. He currently serves as a Co-Director and co-Founder of Eco Nikko, an organization headquartered in Nikko, Japan that utilizes yoga to foster personal and community development. Zach also developed the Ikan Sustainability Value Web and Ikan Sustainability Framework to help embed sustainable thinking and practices into communities and organizations. Zach has over 20 years of experience in the martial and meditative arts and stays active through hiking, mountain biking, running, playing and being present with his wife and son.

Chad Stewart is a founder and principal of Interkannections, CSR Committee Vice
Chair for the American Chamber of Commerce Japan (ACCJ) and Co Director of Integral Japan. He has led change management, leadership pipeline and organization evolution projects with global corporations, SMEs, local governments, NPOs and the UNCRD since 1995. Chad also serves as a global executive coach, co-created the Capacity Evolution Change Agent training program and has lectured at the Kyoto University MBA School. Chad’s second vocation is spending time with his wife, daughter, son and two ferrets.