WMU Alumna Earns National Recognition for WMU Foundation
Lynn L. Chen-Zhang, COO at Zhang Financial, won the 2020 Invest in Others Lifetime Achievement Award for her charitable work with the Western Michigan University Foundation. As a result, the WMU Foundation has received a $55,000 donation from the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation. Chen-Zhang serves as the President of the WMU Foundation and Vice Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees.
The Invest in Others Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to a financial advisor who has made a profound contribution to a nonprofit organization through an established history of distinguished service, exhibited leadership, and recognition from peers and the community, while helping the organization create a lasting impact on its future.
“My belief is that you change one person’s life at a time. I am most proud of the scholarship programs at WMU that change students’ lives. A lot of students, before they receive these scholarships, would say they thought college was out of reach for them. I attend a lot of graduation ceremonies, and the moment I see students get their diplomas, it brings tears to my eyes,” Chen-Zhang said. “I was given this opportunity by Western Michigan University, and I believe that everyone else deserves that chance.”
Chen-Zhang is a first-generation immigrant who came to the United States with $500 in her pocket and a scholarship to WMU. That scholarship, and the education she received, opened the door to a world of possibilities. For more than 20 years, Chen-Zhang has given back to WMU in both time and talent, ensuring all students have the opportunity to reach their goals and full potential. Her presence on campus is a source of inspiration, and her generous financial support of both large and small initiatives inspires those around her to give as well.
“Whether bringing prospective donors to football games to cheer on Broncos, inspiring students to pursue careers that will be meaningful to them, or motivating community members to do their best for WMU, Lynn Chen-Zhang demonstrates daily what it means to ‘Invest in Others,” Kristen DeVries, Executive Director of the WMU Foundation and Vice President for WMU University Advancement, said. “Her generosity will ripple throughout our University and our entire community for generations to come.”