It’s been almost a year since we first announced our portfolio’s new strategic plan. Thanks to hard work by teams across the VPFO, our first high-level plan has been built out with detailed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This work, combined with a renewed focus on departmental business planning and systems renewal, has set the stage for an exciting refresh across the VPFO.
One of the key teams that will enable our success through UBC’s coming changes will be our administrative professionals. Most of us regularly interact with these colleagues and know firsthand how essential they are to our success.
Effective September 24, I have promoted Sandy Zarka to Manager, VPFO Administration. Reporting to me, and continuing to serve as my executive assistant, Sandy will help lead the implementation of the VPFO’s strategic plan by centralizing our VPFO administrative team to deliver on operational excellence in our administrative functions.
Under Sandy’s leadership, we will enable more consistent and efficient support and prioritization of administrative work, improve workload balance and planning of new work — including department project coordination support — and provide new opportunities for our administrative team members.
Reporting to Sandy, effective today will be:
- Amrita Bastians – Infrastructure Development and Facilities
- Ann Ogawa – Finance & Operational Excellence
- Annette Nolan – Financial Operations
- Caroline McLeod – Energy & Water Services
- Christina Zhou – Treasury (acting)
- Holly Rail – Comptroller
- Joey Lee Rebelo – Building Operations
- Patricia Paz – Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Treasury
- Sandi Phelan – Infrastructure Development
While each of these roles will report directly to Sandy, they will maintain dotted-line, matrix reporting to their service area. Sandy is working with the leaders and there will be a shift in service areas to balance the load on support for departments that have a requirement. This will allow Sandy to lead and coordinate her team more effectively in collaboration with all departments.
Please join me in congratulating Sandy on her new role and in supporting her entire team as they prepare to support us through the changes to come.