About Charles Zhang and Lynn Chen-Zhang

Charles and Lynn, alumni of Western Michigan University, generously donated over $2 million to the Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center. The Zhang Legacy Collections Center houses the WMU Archives and Regional History Collection, Special Collections and selected books from the University Libraries. The holdings total over 30,000 cubic feet and include 140,000 individual books, making the WMU Archives the largest facility of its type in southwestern Michigan and one of the largest in the state.

Charles and Lynn have long been community leaders in philanthropy. With their hearts rooted in the Kalamazoo community, they enjoy giving back both time and resources to their alma mater. In total, the Zhang’s have given back over ten million dollars to their local community, educational institutions and non-profit organizations. They have supported many of the University programs including the Haworth College of Business, the Department of Economics, the Medallion Scholarship Program, the Academically Talented Youth Program in the Lee Honors College, Miller Auditorium, the Zhang Career Center and the Zhang Financial room at Heritage Hall.

Lynn, as of 2026, serves on the Board of Trustees for Western Michigan University and is also a member of the WMU Foundation Board of Directors.

Charles was a recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award—the highest honor WMU can bestow on a graduate—for prestigious accomplishments within his career and community. He has also served as an adjunct professor of Finance at WMU.

Charles Zhang is the founder and CEO of Zhang Financial, a fee-only wealth management firm. Charles has consistently been Ranked #1 in Barron’s List of 2025 Top 100 Independent Advisors, and Ranked #1 in Barron’s List of 2026 Top Advisors in Michigan.

[The 2025 Top Independent Advisors list was released on September 15, 2025, based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2025. The 2026 Top Advisors in Michigan was released on March 20, 2026, based on data for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2025. Zhang Financial does not pay a fee to be considered for or included in Barron’s rankings. The firm pays a licensing fee to Barron’s for the right to use the rankings and logo in marketing materials.]

Charles was also Ranked #5 in Forbes List of 2026 America’s Top Wealth Advisors and #1 in Michigan in Forbes List of 2026 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, which marks the ninth consecutive year that Charles has held the top ranking in Michigan (2018-2026).

[The 2026 lists were released on April 7, 2026, based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2025. Previous consecutive rankings (2018-2025) were released annually between January and April, based on data for the 12-month period ending June 30 of the preceding year. Zhang Financial does not pay a fee to be considered for or included in Forbes rankings, which are developed by Shook Research. The firm pays a licensing fee to Forbes for the right to use the rankings and logo in marketing materials.]

See zhangfinancial.com/disclosure for full ranking criteria and methodology.