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

  • Moody’s affirms UBC’s Aa1 rating and S&P lowers its rating to A+ due to provincial credit link

    UBC maintains credit ratings with two different rating agencies, Moody’s Investors Service (commonly referred to as “Moody’s”) and S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”). Each year Moody’s and S&P meet separately with UBC to assess the factors influencing the university’s credit rating.

    Read more: Moody’s affirms UBC’s Aa1 rating and S&P lowers its rating to A+ due to provincial credit link
  • New unreconciled credit card transactions dashboard

    Monitor unreconciled credit card transactions across your faculty or administrative unit with our new Power BI dashboard, updated daily.

    Read more: New unreconciled credit card transactions dashboard
  • Considering buying from Indigenous businesses?

    UBC faculty and staff can purchase from Indigenous businesses easily and efficiently to help achieve goals laid out in UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan. Learn more.

    Read more: Considering buying from Indigenous businesses?
  • Metro Vancouver watering restrictions now in effect

    Stage 1 of Metro Vancouver’s Lawn Watering Regulations are in effect from May 1 to October 15, 2025. Both residential and non-residential watering is only allowed once a week, on a specific day. To find out when you are allowed…

    Read more: Metro Vancouver watering restrictions now in effect
  • Celebrating Earth Day in the VPFO

    Over thirty team members from across the VFPO joined forces for the 5th Annual Earth Day Clean up the Campus event, led by the Facilities’ Waste Management team. Together, we collected over 100 lbs. of trash!

    Read more: Celebrating Earth Day in the VPFO

People of the VPFO

  • Dimitri Kavouras steps into new role as Subhead Controls Electrician in Building Operations

    Passionate about contributing to the UBC community, Dimitri is a current shop steward, previous union delegate, and participant in two apprenticeship committees. He was awarded the Kim Nulty award in 2020 for his contributions and excellence in categories like employee…

    Read more: Dimitri Kavouras steps into new role as Subhead Controls Electrician in Building Operations
  • Building a more innovative campus — one project at a time

    A powerful duo in the VPFO, Aletha Utimati, a PMP-certified Project Manager and Sandy Sull, a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) bring completely different expertise but share a vision for an innovative campus, a passion for collaboration, and the ability to…

    Read more: Building a more innovative campus — one project at a time
  • Rosanna Ma steps into new role as Facilities Safety Associate

    Rosanna’s experience in the Research Compliance and Occupational Hygiene team in SRS and consulting industry will be extremely beneficial in her new role. She will be transitioning from the Donald Rix office to join the Facilities Safety team in the…

    Read more: Rosanna Ma steps into new role as Facilities Safety Associate
  • Meynardo Villarica steps into new role as Architectural Head in Building Operations

    Meynardo joined Building Operations in September 2012 as a carpenter in the Yellow Zone Carpenter and later became the Sub-head for the Carpenter Shop. Bringing a wealth of trade and customer service experience, Meynardo will help to build out processes…

    Read more: Meynardo Villarica steps into new role as Architectural Head in Building Operations
  • Staff change as VPFO Administration helps support the President’s Office

    Sandy Zarka will be seconded as the new Manager of Administration and Executive Assistant to the Interim President for the Presidential transition period. While Sandy is with the President’s Office, Holly Rail will continue in her current role as executive…

    Read more: Staff change as VPFO Administration helps support the President’s Office