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

  • Closing the front counter reception on the fifth floor of TEF 3

    Effective February 28, the front counter reception on the fifth floor of Technology Enterprise Facility 3 (TEF 3) will be closed. This closure is part of our ongoing review of resources, programs, and processes to improve efficiencies and continuous improvement.

    Read more: Closing the front counter reception on the fifth floor of TEF 3
  • 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,…

    Read more: Welcoming Maggie Ivanova as UBC’s New Chief Enterprise Risk & Assurance Officer
  • Help with the Point-in-Time Homeless Count at UBC

    The Homelessness Services Association of BC (HSABC) regularly conducts Point-in-Time Homeless Count across BC. The program collects details about the experiences and demographics of people who are experiencing homelessness.

    Read more: Help with the Point-in-Time Homeless Count at UBC
  • Are you and your team up to date on your mandatory training?

    To help keep UBC one of the safest and most welcoming places in Canada, the university has released several new mandatory courses through the Workplace Learning (WPL) platform. Every March and October, staff who are not up to date on…

    Read more: Are you and your team up to date on your mandatory training?
  • Strengthening UBC’s long-term financial planning

    The VPFO is strengthening its long-term financial planning capabilities by forming a new Long-Term Financial Modelling & Planning team, which will report to Treasurer, Yale Loh. Aligned with VPFO Strategic Goal 1.1, this team will enhance UBC’s existing long-term financial…

    Read more: Strengthening UBC’s long-term financial planning

People of the VPFO

  • UBC Emergency Management welcomes two new team members, Mariyam Syed and Alicia Head

    Mariyam Syed, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Advisor, will spearhead UBC’s Continuity Planning Program while also providing expertise to numerous other program elements, and Alicia Head, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning Associate, will have a broad support role on the…

    Read more: UBC Emergency Management welcomes two new team members, Mariyam Syed and Alicia Head
  • “What are we doing? Where can we improve?” Continuous improvement in action

    Adam started at UBC as a Warehouse Clerk for UBC Bookstore in 2011 and moved into the role of Storeperson at Stores in UBC Facilities in 2016. Since then, through learning continuously, developing strong relationships and providing leadership, Adam has…

    Read more: “What are we doing? Where can we improve?” Continuous improvement in action
  • Announcing Helen Yung as the new Comptroller for UBC

    Helen joins us from Vancouver Coastal Health, where she has served as a valued senior finance leader for over 20 years, most recently as Executive Director, Controller and Financial Services.

    Read more: Announcing Helen Yung as the new Comptroller for UBC
  • Noel McNally promoted as Senior Project Manager in Infrastructure Development

    In his new role, Noel will be leading one of the teams of project managers in Project Services, and continue his present scope of work of directly managing complex projects such as Jack Bell Building Renewal and Faculty of Applied…

    Read more: Noel McNally promoted as Senior Project Manager in Infrastructure Development
  • Selina Liu Joins Energy & Water Services as Energy Conservation Engineer

    She joins us from BCIT as the Energy Manager, where she managed a team of engineers and BMS technicians to implement robust process improvements to increase energy efficiency across the Institute. The projects and process improvements she has implemented during…

    Read more: Selina Liu Joins Energy & Water Services as Energy Conservation Engineer