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

  • 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…

    Read more: Decommission of the Power House
  • 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.”

    Read more: UBC Affirmed with “AA+” Rating from S&P
  • 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,…

    Read more: VCH Vaccination site opens at Pharmaceutical Sciences Building
  • Core and customer-funded dispensers for buildings and spaces

    The number of core soap, paper towel, and hand sanitizer dispensers for each building and space follow UBC technical guidelines. For any additional dispensers, these dispensers are not consider ‘Core’ dispensers and the faculty/department is responsible for funding the additional…

    Read more: Core and customer-funded dispensers for buildings and spaces
  • A new Water Pump Station for the Point Grey campus

    The final building handover is underway for the new Water Pump Station, located on University Boulevard and Education Road, next to the Henry Angus building.

    Read more: A new Water Pump Station for the Point Grey campus

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