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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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?
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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…
People of the VPFO
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Esther Li promoted to Senior Financial Processing Specialist in Treasury
Reporting to Chen Shi, Treasury Accounting Manager, Esther will continue to be responsible for the incoming payments while playing a critical role in more complicated bank reconciliations and other banking side responsibilities.
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Creating inclusive spaces beyond the public realm
Jen Sheel takes pride in what her team does… and it shows. When you meet Jen, one of the first things you see is her dedication to making UBC a place that invites and builds connections. She fiercely believes that…
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Josephine Shen joins the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) team as a Financial Analyst
In her new role, Josephine will play a key role in developing the Strategic Initiatives’ multi-year forecasting model and maintaining various financial models (i.e. Contingency and PAEI) at UBC.
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Celebrating UBC VPFO’s long-serving member inductees in 2022
The VPFO team has a number of long service member inductees this year. This is an amazing personal accomplishment for the individuals and a true testament to their devotion to service at UBC.
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Holly Shepherd promoted to Director, Treasury
Holly Shepherd has been promoted to Director, Treasury with overall responsibility for overseeing tax, contracts, leases & licences, housing loans, payment card industry compliance, service levy and Treasury Accounting.