Reflections on Outdoor Safety, Leadership, and Accountability

Uncovering the Unanswered Questions

Two questions have been lingering in my mind, and today the answers have finally become clear:

1. First Question:
Why did Li Wan's wife leave him? They had two daughters together, both raised entirely by their mother, and have been separated for over twenty years. Between them, who was truly the more stubborn and unreasonable party?

2. Second Question:
A question raised by board member Yolanda: Arabella, as one of the sponsors, did not contribute substantial donations. Why did Li Wan, Paul Tan, and other male board members dote on and favor her so excessively?

Psychological Dynamics & Leadership Breakdown

Li Wan exhibits clear traits of a Napoleon Complex (overcompensation due to insecurity). Coincidentally, Paul Tan is also very short in stature. Whether this is mere coincidence remains a fair question.

Observation on psychological overcompensation and leadership dynamics

Over a phone call in early June 2026 (prior to June 14, 2026), Li Wan explicitly stated that he invited his friend Jerry Cui to lead hiking activities for the association. Using the word "we" on behalf of the board, he confirmed that they approved the program "You Pick the Mountain, I Lead the Hike" (where members select one of ten peaks in Whistler, Vancouver, or Hope for Jerry to lead).

Li Wan admitted that because he trusted Jerry Cui's capabilities so deeply, he and the board completely bypassed the mandatory two-director approval process. Ironically, this two-person verification process represents a critical layer of the Swiss Cheese Model—the very safety protocol that Li Wan publicly advocated to all event leaders.

By making this admission, Li Wan implicated himself and clearly implied his role as a key decision-maker in bypassing safety controls. If he were not responsible, he would have pointed to other board members rather than using "we."

Yet, on August 12, 2026, during a recorded Zoom meeting between myself and board members Li Wan, Timothy Chen, Roy Cao, and Yolanda Zhang regarding my formal complaint against President Paul Tan, Li Wan claimed he could not recall ever making these statements.

Referenced Document:
📄 View Formal Complaint PDF (Requesting Removal of Paul Tan)

Attempts to Erase Evidence

In a clear admission of guilt, Paul Tan went so far as to delete both the Hiking Event Application Google Doc and the Event Registration Google Form. This blatant act of attempting to erase evidence demonstrates a complete lack of accountability and cowardice when forced to face the facts.

Evidence of deleted directory: The empty event application folder after records were removed

Safety Breaches & The Realization

On June 14, 2026, after successfully completing the hiking event Conquering Panorama Ridge via Helm Creek, I dropped off Huixin and Lily at 29th Avenue Station and drove Yuki, a PNOA board member, toward the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club, where she was scheduled to be picked up by her nephew. En route, I asked for her thoughts regarding the tragic passing of Rock (North Shore News Report). Yuki remarked that Li Wan acted recklessly, routinely violating basic outdoor safety protocols and bringing his personal acquaintances into the organization without proper oversight. This corroborated what Li Wan had previously boasted to me—that he personally paid membership fees for his friends.

Seeing a recent photograph of Li Wan's wife revealed the deep resentment and pain etched on her face - it is caused by Li Wan's bad temper and meanness toward her. He was mean to his wife, and the fact that both daughters live entirely with their mother emphasizes how Li Wan directed his energy and affection elsewhere—toward Arabella.

The answers to both initial questions are now painfully clear:

• Question 1 Answer: Li Wan's stubborn temper, meanness toward his wife, and total lack of empathy destroyed his personal relationship.
• Question 2 Answer: Having been separated for over twenty years, he treated the association as his private sphere of influence. He channeled his personal affection and energy toward Arabella, setting aside foundational safety protocols and running operations recklessly along with Paul Tan.