We are trusted advisors, partners and professional service providers who continuously improve delivery of responsive and adaptive services and solutions to our stakeholders
The eight divisions of the VP Finance & Operations (VPFO) portfolio are responsible for the stewardship of UBC’s physical and financial assets. We oversee a $3.4 billion budget, a $2.8 billion endowment, and all university facilities on both campuses. The VPFO also manages the university’s relationships with UBC Investment Management and UBC Properties Trust. In all the portfolio’s responsibilities, we are committed to the values of excellence, integrity, respect, accountability, and safety.
News From the VPFO
Mar 18, 2024UBC Launches Workday Assistant Chat Tool
The Office of the Chief Information Officer and VP Finance & Operations are pleased to announce the launch of Workday Assistant in Workday. Workday Assistant is a conversational chatbot tool for faculty, staff and student employees to optionally use when logged in to Workday. It appears as a chat interface accessible in the bottom right corner from any screen in Workday where you can enter short, informal queries for Assistant to help you find information and access tasks and reports quickly.
What does it look like to step outside of your comfort zone? Reflecting on VPFO team members’ acts of courage
VPFO team members shared their stories on February 28, 2024, as hundreds of VPFO staff gathered for our 7th annual Pink Shirt Day . Together, we celebrated this year’s theme of Acts of Courage, with a sub-theme of Brave Spaces – creating spaces where we feel comfortable being our authentic selves. Read more about the event.
Say Goodbye to the old Power House
The demolition of the Power House is in progress to make way for the planned development of the UBC Sauder Power House Expansion. Learn more about the project.
Three recipients of this year’s Campus as a Living Lab ‘Grand Challenge’ are from the VPFO portfolio
Three recipients selected for this year's Campus as a Living Lab 'Grand Challenge' all belong to the VPFO portfolio and will be moving forward with a total of $600k in funding. Congratulations to Facilities, Safety & Risk Services, and Campus Operations & Risk Management (UBCO) for their outstanding achievements.
Jack Bell Building Renewal
Construction will begin this month on the Jack Bell Building Renewal. This project will mitigate deferred maintenance and seismically upgrade the building, while also reconfiguring its existing spaces to support state-of-the-art learning environments for the School of Social Work in the Faculty of Arts.
People of the VPFO
Mar 18, 2024Get to know the senior leadership team: Helen Yung
Fostering a culture of purpose driven leadership, get to know Helen Yung, Comptroller and her leadership vision: “I lead my team to provide financial leadership through outstanding performance reporting, budget allocation and management processes, and financial disciplines to enable UBC to thrive and ensure long term financial sustainability."
Brian Pokojoy joins Integrated Service Centre as Senior Product Manager
As Senior Product Manager, Workday Student, Brian will be responsible for assembling and leading Integrated Service Centre's new Workday Student product team. This will include supporting the functionality of Workday Student and driving continuous improvement initiatives to ensure that it meets the needs of the UBC community.
Divya Shetty joins Finance & Integrated Services as ISC Service Centre Manager
Welcome Divya Shetty, New ISC Service Centre Manager. Divya has been with the ISC since May 2023, in her first role as a Service Desk Support Specialist, where she demonstrated an exemplary work ethic, people-first approach and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Eric Alister joins Safety & Risk Services as Privacy & Information Security Risk Advisor
Eric Alister joins Safety & Risk Services’ Privacy & Information Security Management (PrISM) team, stepping into the role of Privacy & Information Security Risk Advisor. Learn more about Eric.
Get to know the senior leadership team: John Metras
Fostering a culture of purpose driven leadership, get to know John Metras, Associate Vice-President, Facilities and his leadership vision: “I am an inclusive, action-oriented leader. I engage and empower my team and collaborate with stakeholders to build and maintain a safe, clean, sustainable and inspiring physical environment that has a long-term transformative impact on learning, research and campus life at UBC.”
Get to know the senior leadership team: Parveen Mann
Fostering a culture of purpose driven leadership, get to know Parveen Mann, Director, Human Resources and her leadership vision: “I believe that if we focus on our collective purpose, collaborate and build trust with each other, and continuously learn and adapt, we can help UBC and the VPFO achieve its vision."
Derek Ho joins Safety & Risk Services as Lead Advisor, Privacy & Information Security Risk
Derek Ho joins Safety & Risk Services’ Privacy & Information Security Management (PrISM) team as Lead Advisor in Privacy & Information Security Risk. The SRS PrISM team delivers privacy and security risk assessments, campus-wide training and risk advisory services to UBC.
Get to know the senior leadership team: Yale Loh
Fostering a culture of purpose driven leadership, get to know Yale Loh, Treasurer and his leadership vision: “I am a leader of a high-performing and accountable team that is driven by shared values and success, open dialogue, transparency, and orientation towards results."