Our Team

 

 

Upright Planning, LLC, is a full-service independent financial advisory firm founded by Dr. James Chang in 2012 that is dedicated to serving the financial needs of its clients.

Although we operate out of the Washington DC area, we are licensed to operate in 12 states and are more than willing to assist those from outside the area. Upright Planning has several qualified representatives, each with their own licenses to sell a variety of products as well as consult and give advice on many different types of investments.

With over half a century of combined experience in the field, the advisors at Upright Planning will use their experience and knowledge as well as the wide range of versatile investment vehicles available to them to generate and implement the ideal plan for you.

 

James Chang, PhD, MBA, CFP®, CRC®, CLU®

President, Financial Advisor

James Chang is the founder and president of Upright Planning. After receiving his B.S. & M.S. in Biology from Fu Jen University and a PhD in Cell Biology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, James saw an opportunity in financial planning to educate and help the community around him and began working in the financial industry in 2002 as a financial advisor. He was promoted to sales manager in 2004, and in 2007, he co-founded Acacia Financial Advisors. In 2012, James pursued his personal goal of building and independently operating an advisory firm, founding Upright Planning. Since then, he has received the Elite Advisor Award from Independent Financial Group every year and has been consistently ranked as one of their top advisors. 

Recognitions:

  • Independent Financial Group Million Dollar Achievement: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019.
  • Independent Financial Group Elite Advisors: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.
  • Ameritas Investment Corp. Leader's Court: 2007, 2010, 2011.
  • Ameritas Investment Corp. President's Club: 2006, 2008, 2009.

Elisabeth Fan-Jye Hsu

Registered Representative

Elisabeth attended Taiwan Normal University and majored in English. She immigrated to California, US in 1987, where she worked in real estate prior to moving to Maryland in 1998. Upon discovering the necessity and meaningfulness of financial security in 2003, she has since then dedicated herself to helping clients and their families by helping them select suitable plans through guidance and care. For over a decade, she has been a professional experienced in insurance, retirement, and investment. Her goal is to help you reach your financial goal. She is an agent you can trust.

Tin W Li, CPA, CFP®

Financial Advisor

Over the last 15 years, Tin has been assisting hundreds of individuals in the Washington Metro areas. After graduating from George Washington University with a B.S. in Chemistry, he went on to receive a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Medical College of Virginia. Since 1984, he has been operating and managing his private dental practice. Tin's interest in personal finance led him to join the financial services industry in 2001 and join Upright Planning in 2014.

Ryan Yuan, PhD

Financial Advisor

Ryan attended the University of Science and Technology of China where he graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry in 2005. He then moved to the United States, receiving a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Houston in 2011. Ryan worked in the pharmaceutical sector from 2012 to 2014 as an Analytical Scientist. His passion to help others make sound and effective financial decisions drove him to obtain his financial planning license and join Upright Planning in 2015.