Welcome to the VP Finance & Operations portfolio
The nine divisions of the VPFO are responsible for the stewardship of UBC’s physical and financial assets, as well as safety and risk management for our university community.
We oversee a $3.98 billion budget, a $3.38 billion endowment, and all facilities on both campuses, as well as managing 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 innovation, unity and accountability.

VPFO Strategic Plan 2024–2027
Having a strategic plan gives us a clear path, keeping everyone on the same page. Learn more about where we’re going next and how we plan to get there.
News from the VPFO
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Annual Drinking Water Quality Monitoring program report is now available
This report re-affirms UBC’s commitment to deliver safe and high-quality drinking water, and outlines the Drink Water Quality Monitoring Program and its results for the year 2020.
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Update on Air Canada Refunds for UBC
Air Canada recently revised their COVID-19 refund policy, and as UBC is a corporate account holder the university is centralizing this refund for members of our community who booked through the UBC Travel Program.
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Asset Replacement & Improvements joining Infrastructure Development
The Asset Replacement & Improvement (AR&I) division, including the Transition Team and Construction Office, has started the process of joining with Infrastructure Development to form a new, unified, project delivery team for the Facilities Group.
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BC Ministry of Advanced Education building auditors will be on campus starting June 21
BC Ministry of Advanced Education has contracted VFA Canada to audit 136 buildings on the UBC Point Grey campus starting June 21 to the end of January 2022. The last audit was undertaken in 2018.
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Procurement Modernization update — Sharing our service delivery levels
Since Workday go-live our Financial Operations and Operational Excellence teams in the VPFO have been developing ways to share key metrics relating to service delivery that are pulled from UBC’s new HR and Finance system.
People of the VPFO
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Michaela Kelly joins as Executive Assistant supporting Executive Director, UBC Safety & Risk Services
Michaela comes to UBC from the public relations agency Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K), where she provided strategic and integrated communications support to some of Canada’s leading brands across a wide range of sectors.
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Valerie Nichol appointed UBCO’s Director of Integrated Planning and Chief Budget Officer as of July 1, 2023
Valerie brings seven years of valuable experience within UBC Okanagan, along with a significant tenure in various other organizations, which she will leverage to enhance our finance team.
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Samuel Akindele joins Facilities’ Municipal Services as Trades 3 Mechanic
Samuel has over 15 years of experience as Heavy Duty Mechanic. He joins UBC most recently from BC Ferries where he worked as Marine Engine Mechanic, and was responsible for Engine Overhauling, Rad Drives, and Pumps.
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Forecasting for a solid future
Raffaela works with her team to ensure a sound financial position for UBC for generations to come. Read more about what it’s like working in a team as diverse as Treasury, what respect means to her professionally, and how she…
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Bringing teams together over good food and good laughs
“Food brings people together,” explains Bryan Antenor, Customer Support Manager in Financial Operations. “Connecting over potlucks, having a few good laughs and participating in highly competitive Mario Kart Switch tournaments are just some of the simple yet effective ways we…