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
-
Pauline Li stepping into a new role in UBC Okanagan’s Infrastructure Development as Building Records Manager
In her new role, Pauline will be responsible for records management, facility planning, as well as management of document and drawing repositories to ensure accurate records of all are maintained and consistently represented across multiple systems and depositories.
-
In memory of Dirceu Campos
It is with a profound sense of sadness that we learned of the unexpected passing of our friend and colleague Dirceu Campos. Dirceu was a valued team member of the UBC Payroll Operations Team. He started with UBC in 2018…
-
So, why does sharing gender pronouns in the workplace matter?
At the VPFO, we each play a role in creating an inclusive work environment and helping UBC’s community members of all gender identities feel safe and supported. One of the ways we can help is by modeling the correct use of…
-
Celebrating Pride on the 5th floor of TEF 3 with Masa Ishida from the ISC
In celebration of Pride Month in Vancouver, Masa Ishida, Functional Support Analyst from the ISC and the team put together a decoration on the 5th floor of TEF 3.
-
Temporary relocation of the three flagpoles to Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
Due to the construction of the Recreation Centre and the upgrades to Student Union Boulevard, the three flagpoles will be temporarily installed at the East Mall Entrance and Plaza at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre by August 15, 2022.
People of the VPFO
-
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…
-
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…
-
Nicholas Potovsky joins Infrastructure Development as the Accessible Buildings Planner
Co-created with the UBC Centre for Accessibility, this newly created role will help UBC develop accessibility design guidelines for new and existing campus buildings. Nicholas is a registered architect with over 10 years of experience in the design of new…
-
David Sequeira joins Custodial Services as Assistant Supervisor
In his new role, David will oversee the dayshift Custodial Services team and will work out of the Life Building. David comes to us from the Office of the Dean at the Faculty of Education with responsibility for Faculty-wide health…
-
Fabiola Ruiz-Aguilar joins Safety & Risk Services as Safety Advisor, Scientific Diving
In her new role as Dive Safety Officer, Fabiola is responsible for developing, strengthening and growing the Scientific Diving program in compliance with WorkSafe BC, Canadian Association for Underwater Science (CAUS) and CSA Ocean Sciences — after all the earth…