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

  • Protecting yourself from wildfire smoke

    Lower Mainland continues to see poor air quality values as a result of the thick wildfire smoke in BC. Find resources about air quality health and safety awareness and the best ways to protect yourself.

    Read more: Protecting yourself from wildfire smoke
  • Generator load bank testing schedule 

    The regulatory Annual Load Bank Emergency Generator tests will take place in buildings across campus starting on September 12, 2022, until November 1, 2022.

    Read more: Generator load bank testing schedule 
  • Labor Day: Honoring Work & Work-Life Balance

    As is the case with most holidays, the origins of Labour Day come from the struggles of working people and the demand for fairness. In this week’s EDI article, read about the history of Labour Day and the latest career trend…

    Read more: Labor Day: Honoring Work & Work-Life Balance
  • Thank you from Vice-President, Finance, Karamjeet Heer

    A short while ago, the President’s Office sent a Bulletin to the university announcing some changes in the VPFO’s senior leadership team. I have accepted a new position with Simon Fraser University (SFU) as their Associate Vice-President, Finance and my…

    Read more: Thank you from Vice-President, Finance, Karamjeet Heer
  • Leadership change within the Vice-President, Finance and Operations, portfolio

    Karamjeet Heer will be leaving UBC to take up a new role at Simon Fraser University. She joined the university in 2019 as Comptroller and was more recently appointed as interim Vice-President, Finance. As of Nov. 1, Yale Loh will…

    Read more: Leadership change within the Vice-President, Finance and Operations, portfolio

People of the VPFO

  • 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
  • Hailey Maxwell steps into new role as Manager, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning in Safety & Risk Services

    In her new role as Manager of Emergency & Continuity Planning, Hailey looks forward to continuing to support the UBC community in developing personal and organizational resilience through planning, training and engagement initiatives.

    Read more: Hailey Maxwell steps into new role as Manager, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning in Safety & Risk Services
  • Balancing safety and innovation

    Janet Hankins leads a team of specialists in biosafety, radiation, and chemical safety and occupational hygiene responsible for the handling of hazardous substances across the university. Learn how Janet resonates with the VPFO’s strategic directions and values, and how her…

    Read more: Balancing safety and innovation
  • Bella Li joins the VPFO/VPHR Finance team within Comptroller as Financial Analyst  

    In her new role, Bella will be responsible for providing financial analysis to the overall VPFO/VPHR Finance team, with a primary focus on Infrastructure Development, Safety & Risk Services, and Financial Operations.

    Read more: Bella Li joins the VPFO/VPHR Finance team within Comptroller as Financial Analyst