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

  • Get ready for our 8th annual Pink Shirt Day celebration

    The VPFO Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee presents Pink Shirt Day on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. This year’s theme is “Let Kindness Grow”. How can we cultivate a community of kindness, support, and understanding? 

    Read more: Get ready for our 8th annual Pink Shirt Day celebration
  • Protecting you and UBC through smarter expense management

    Do you make purchases on behalf of the university? The UBC Visa Corporate Card enables you to make university-related purchases directly and is integrated into the Workday Expense module to allow simpler reconciliation, so you never lose track of an…

    Read more: Protecting you and UBC through smarter expense management
  • T2200 Declaration of Conditions of Employment

    UBC employees participating in the formal Hybrid Work Program may be eligible to claim home office expenses on their 2024 taxes under CRA’s updated guidelines. For more information, please visit the UBC Finance Portal.

    Read more: T2200 Declaration of Conditions of Employment
  • UBC joins national CASPAR initiative for sustainable procurement

    UBC is part of a new Canadian inter-university working group on sustainable procurement. The group is a collaborative forum with materials, training, and other knowledge-sharing opportunities for procurement practitioners at CAUBO member institutions.

    Read more: UBC joins national CASPAR initiative for sustainable procurement
  • Scarfe Office Block is undergoing electrical renovation starting in May 2025

    The electrical distribution system for the Neville Scarfe Complex is reaching the end of its lifespan and lacks the capacity to meet occupants’ future electrical needs. Construction on the Scarfe Complex Electrical Renovation is anticipated to begin in May 2025…

    Read more: Scarfe Office Block is undergoing electrical renovation starting in May 2025

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