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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Fly-over video of the New Recreation Centre
UBC Athletics & Recreation recently filmed a fly-over video of the new recreation Centre, which will be located to the North of the UBC Life Building.
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Customer Services & Informatics reporting to Facilities, AVP
To reduce redundancies and expand our lens in working better together as one Facilities team to enable excellence in learning and research, the Customer Services & Informatics (CSI) team led by Kishani Gibbons in Building Operations, will report directly to Facilities,…
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Decommission of the Power House
The new Water Supply Centre is now completed, and the old water mains at the Power House is scheduled to be disconnected between April 9-14, 2021. To facilitate the work, there will be changes to the flow of water in…
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UBC Affirmed with “AA+” Rating from S&P
Credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings reports an expectation that “within our two-year outlook horizon, the university will maintain an excellent market position and demand profile.”
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VCH Vaccination site opens at Pharmaceutical Sciences Building
UBC has entered an agreement with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), enabling them the use of Pharmaceutical Sciences Building (PharmSci) to host a vaccination site, running March 29 – August 2021, for administering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible members of the public,…
People of the VPFO
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Strengthening Municipal Services’ Asset and Fleet Management Services within Facilities
In order to enhance their technical expertise in civil engineering, asset stewardship and fleet management, UBC Facilities’ Municipal Services is pleased to welcome two new team members, Fiona Keating, Senior Manager, and Rishi Purohit, Fleet and Asset Manager.
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Making accountability personal
Thomas Straley — with 20 years of experience in Accounts Payable — is one of the lucky people who find their dream job early and build an endlessly rewarding career.
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Joanna Huang steps into Finance Manager role supporting the VPHR and VPFO Admin portfolios
Since stepping into the Acting role in June 2022, Joanna has played an instrumental in supporting her client areas through a busy quarter-end and the start of the FY23 budget process.
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Frank Laezza appointed Vice-President, Finance and Operations
Mr. Laezza will join us from Murdoch University, Australia, where he is Chief Financial Officer with responsibility for leading the university’s business and finance functions, as well as for the management of its financial and capital resources. Mr. Laezza will…
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Gardenia Honório transitions into new role as Business Operations Manager within Facilities’ Customer Services and Informatics
Gardenia will lead the Facilities Service Centre and Clerical teams and the Staff Records team, support training and other important Facilities initiatives including onboarding, safety training scheduling, IT device management, etc.