IAOTP names Philip Jayhawk Chan its top financial empowerment leader for 2026

The International Association of Top Professionals will honor Lightspeed Investing President and CEO Philip Jayhawk Chan at its annual gala in New York City’s Plaza Hotel. The award recognizes his work in financial education, wealth-building and leadership development across investing and business coaching.

Why it matters: - The award puts a spotlight on financial education and wealth-building for professionals seeking income diversification and long-term financial independence. - Chan’s recognition reflects growing interest in investment education and coaching aimed at helping high-earning professionals reduce reliance on a single paycheck. - IAOTP will honor Chan at its annual awards gala in December 2026 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Professionals selected Philip Jayhawk Chan as Top Leader of the Year in Financial Empowerment for 2026. - Chan is president and CEO of Lightspeed Investing. - IAOTP will recognize Chan at its annual awards gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. - IAOTP said the honor is reserved for a select group of members chosen for professional accomplishments, academic achievements, leadership, longevity and community contributions.

The details: - Lightspeed Investing has served clients for more than 15 years. - The firm works with physicians, engineers, executives, business owners and other high-performing professionals. - Lightspeed Investing focuses on futures and commodities trading to help clients diversify income. - Under Chan’s leadership, the company expanded into three divisions: money management for high-net-worth individuals, a trading education platform and automated trading software. - Lightspeed Investing manages more than $530 million in assets under management. - Chan’s stated mission is to broaden access to investment strategies that are often associated with hedge funds. - Chan also leads Leadership Visions International, where he provides leadership development, executive coaching, business consulting and professional growth training. - Chan is a certified Maxwell Leadership Team member. - He serves as executive chair of the ACA Visionaries Special Interest Group with ACA Business Club in Overland Park, Kansas. - Chan attended the University of Kansas, where he studied neurobiology, molecular biosciences and East Asian languages and culture. - He earned a master’s degree in applied statistics, analytics and data science from the University of Kansas Medical Center. - Chan also earned Maxwell Leadership Certification through The John Maxwell Company. - Chan speaks on investing, leadership, entrepreneurship and financial empowerment at keynotes, conferences, podcasts and educational events. - He was a featured speaker at the FSSF 2025 Virtual Summit. - For more information, visit Lightspeed Investing or IAOTP’s award gala.

Between the lines: - Chan’s move from a planned medical career to finance gives IAOTP a personal story that fits the award’s emphasis on leadership and service. - The recognition also reinforces Lightspeed Investing’s positioning as both an investment firm and an education platform. - IAOTP President Stephanie Cirami said Chan’s journey from medicine to finance, leadership and focus on financial independence made him an easy choice for the panel. - Chan said his success reflects perseverance, continuous learning, mentors and a passion for serving others.

What’s next: - Chan will be honored at IAOTP’s gala in December 2026. - Chan is also being considered for inclusion in TIP Magazine for his accomplishments. - Chan said he plans to keep expanding his work in financial education, leadership development and wealth management.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is using Chan’s award to highlight a growing market for financial empowerment services aimed at professionals who want more control over income, wealth and career flexibility.