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

  • UBC transitioning to new customs broker: Thompson Ahern

    For international shipments, UBC will be transitioning to a new customs broker of record, Thompson Ahern who will take over from the university’s current broker Livingston International as of August 12, 2021.

    Read more: UBC transitioning to new customs broker: Thompson Ahern
  • Payroll moves into new location

    As of July 22, 2021, the Payroll team has relocated from the Technology Enterprise Facility (TEF) 3 office on Agronomy Road to their new home at 5958 Webber Lane in Wesbrook Village.

    Read more: Payroll moves into new location
  • Scott Stevens promoted as High Voltage Electrical Sub-Head in Energy & Water Services

    Scott Stevens will be joining the Supervisory Organization of Electrical Trades with Energy & Water Services at the Campus Energy Center location. His role as Sub-Head starts on August 3, 2021.

    Read more: Scott Stevens promoted as High Voltage Electrical Sub-Head in Energy & Water Services
  • July 15 VPFO Townhall presentation and slides

    Our VPFO townhall looked back on our experiences over the past year and forward to a brighter fall and beyond. It was recorded on Zoom and the presentation slides are available in PDF.

    Read more: July 15 VPFO Townhall presentation and slides
  • Changes to Payroll Representative Portfolios

    The portfolio composition of our payroll representatives is now based on employee last name. This change will support our service delivery to faculty and staff, who can now more easily find their payroll representative, as well as improving our workflows…

    Read more: Changes to Payroll Representative Portfolios

People of the VPFO

  • Nicholas Potovsky joins Infrastructure Development as the Accessible Buildings Planner

    Co-created with the UBC Centre for Accessibility, this newly created role will help UBC develop accessibility design guidelines for new and existing campus buildings. Nicholas is a registered architect with over 10 years of experience in the design of new…

    Read more: Nicholas Potovsky joins Infrastructure Development as the Accessible Buildings Planner
  • David Sequeira joins Custodial Services as Assistant Supervisor

    In his new role, David will oversee the dayshift Custodial Services team and will work out of the Life Building. David comes to us from the Office of the Dean at the Faculty of Education with responsibility for Faculty-wide health…

    Read more: David Sequeira joins Custodial Services as Assistant Supervisor
  • Fabiola Ruiz-Aguilar joins Safety & Risk Services as Safety Advisor, Scientific Diving

    In her new role as Dive Safety Officer, Fabiola is responsible for developing, strengthening and growing the Scientific Diving program in compliance with WorkSafe BC, Canadian Association for Underwater Science (CAUS) and CSA Ocean Sciences — after all the earth…

    Read more: Fabiola Ruiz-Aguilar joins Safety & Risk Services as Safety Advisor, Scientific Diving
  • VPFO HR team update

    Daisy Chan will be going on Maternity leave starting March 2023. During her leave, Kasia Burza will be temporarily promoted to an HR Advisor until September 2024, supporting AVPFO and Treasury. Alysa Garza will be joining as an HR Coordinator…

    Read more: VPFO HR team update
  • Silvia Magnano joins Treasury as Manager, Treasury Contracts & Real Estate

    Silvia comes to us directly from the UBC University-Industry Liaison Office (UILO) where she was a Contracts Officer. Silvia brings both business and legal background to her new role. She was trained and certified as a lawyer in Argentina, where…

    Read more: Silvia Magnano joins Treasury as Manager, Treasury Contracts & Real Estate