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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New 12 MW biomass boiler arrives on campus
As part of the Bioenergy facility expansion, the anticipated 12 MW biomass fueled hot water combustion boiler arrived on campus at the Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF), and was craned into place for the next phase of the boiler placement.
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UBC to establish new downtown Kelowna presence
UBC will be establishing a new university presence in downtown Kelowna with plans to build a mixed-use building at the former Daily Courier location at 550 Doyle Avenue. The development will feature community-facing academic space, office space and university rental…
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Join Peter Smailes and the IRP leadership for an update on Workday
Open to all UBC faculty and staff, this call in will share the latest updates on Workday as we countdown to implementation in November 2020. Peter and other IRP leaders will address the community on the benefits of Workday, the improvements…
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Questions Relating to Working from Home
The university’s Finance and Human Resources teams have received a variety of questions relating to working from home, and this information has been prepared to provide guidance on some of these items.
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Continuation of Spreadsheet-Based Hourly Payroll Process
With the onset of measures relating to COVID-19 in March this year, UBC’s Payroll team quickly pivoted from a paper timesheet-based system to a spreadsheet-based process for the payment of hourly employees. Please note the process has been extended.
People of the VPFO
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Welcoming Karen Zygun as the new VPFO Director of Human Resources
Karen Zygun will be joining UBC as the new Director of Human Resources for the VPFO. Karen will be a key leader in renewing the VPFO’s HR team and strategy, developing a strategy to build a stronger values-centered culture, and…
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Angela Huang joins the Office of the Comptroller as Senior Director of Financial Business Intelligence
We are pleased to announce that Angela Huang has joined the Office of the Comptroller as our new Senior Director of Financial Business Intelligence, effective March 3, 2025.
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Welcoming Maggie Ivanova as UBC’s New Chief Enterprise Risk & Assurance Officer
Maggie Ivanova will begin her role as UBC’s new Chief Enterprise Risk and Assurance Officer on April 7. She will provide strategic leadership to the university’s Internal Assurance and Enterprise Risk Management functions and will report jointly to the Vice-President,…
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Sarah Goold appointed as Director, Long-Term Financial Modelling & Planning
Sarah Goold has been appointed Director, Long-Term Financial Modelling & Planning and will oversee the Long-Term Financial Modelling & Planning team going forward.
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Lindsay Wyant transitions to the Financial Reporting team as the Interim Director, Financial Reporting
We are pleased to announce that Lindsay Wyant, Finance Manager, Capital Financial Reporting, will be transitioning to the Financial Reporting Team as the Interim Director, Financial Reporting.