As many of you now know by way of yesterday’s broadcast email from President Ono, I am leaving UBC at the end of May to take on the role of VP Administration at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. I had intended to send this email before the broadcast yesterday, but coordination and timing issues prevented that. Today, I want to make certain I follow up with you, as I feel the VPFO portfolio is the most important team I need to update. So, while this email is a little late, I would like to share more with you here.
To start, I want you to know that working at UBC has been incredibly rewarding for me. From my first job as a clerk reconciling payroll almost 30 years ago, to my current position as vice-president I have built both a career and my life with UBC. As I look back, it is all of the amazing people that have made coming to work each day so gratifying.
UBC is a large and complex organization. It is a special place where we all have the privilege to learn and relate on an international level — a rare opportunity in BC. I have learned so much about university finance, operations and administration from all of you. I now want to take that knowledge and hopefully use it to help advance another BC university.
I like what Kwantlen does and who they serve, and I am excited to take on role that has some similarities and some differences to what I do today. I am also looking forward to learning about a new university culture, taking on new challenges, and being able to ride my bike to work.
Starting on June 1, the VPFO portfolio will continue to function as one portfolio, in line with our strategic plan. However, until the search for a new Vice-President is complete, Karamjeet Heer will be serving as the Interim Vice-President Finance and John Metras will be the Interim Vice-President Operations. My role has been split to allow both John and Karamjeet the time they’ll need to continue to serve in their current busy roles. As impressive I know both Karamjeet and John to be, they will need your full support to be successful.
In this interim period, the Comptroller’s Office, Treasury, and Finance & Operational Excellence will report to Karamjeet. While Facilities, Safety & Risk Services, VPFO Communications & Engagement, and VPFO Human Resources will report to John.
As we progress towards my last day on May 31st there will be a great deal to do. While I will be focusing on wrapping-up a number of long-standing initiatives, my leading priority will be completing our new strategic plan with the VPFO leadership team. We have worked hard to develop our draft plan and I know it will help guide the portfolio through the transition and allow our next VP Finance & Operations to start on solid footing. If you have not yet seen the draft, please take moment to read it.
Strategic plans are only as good as what we do with them. I will also work to launch the development of integrated business plans across the portfolio. These business plans will help translate the VPFO strategic plans into the actions for everyone in the portfolio.
I want conclude by thanking all of you. Any success I have had at UBC comes from the work we have all done together. I will continue to follow all that the VPFO portfolio accomplishes and stay in touch with the many friends I have made over the past 30 years.
I wish you all the best.