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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Celebrating success and inclusivity at the 2022 Winter Paralympics
The 2022 Winter Paralympics was held in Beijing, China from March 4-13, 2022. The games are organized and delivered by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), with its vision to “make for an inclusive world through sport”.
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Lubna Shawwa joins Operational Excellence as Continuous Improvement Program Manager
Leveraging her robust experience in continuous improvement and problem solving, in addition to her passion for driving efficiency and collaboration, Lubna will play a key role in enhancing and delivering continuous improvement projects across UBC.
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A Walk Through Time
Construction work along the sidewalks on the south and south-east side of the Earth Sciences Building has started, as part of an exhibit extension of the Pacific Museum of Earth. The museum will be installing a ribbon of steel plates…
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Four newly funded projects aimed at boosting sustainability at UBC Vancouver
Four new Campus as a Living Lab (CLL) sustainability projects have just been awarded a share of $200,000 in funding, and will be set in motion this year on the UBC Vancouver campus. All these projects show ways to improve…
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Undergraduate Life Sciences Teaching Labs Renewal Project wins VRCA’s Gold Awards of Excellence
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) recognized the finest in BC’s construction industry at its 32nd annual Awards of Excellence gala. UBC’s Undergraduate Life Science Teaching Labs Renewal—Biological Sciences Building project was…
People of the VPFO
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Leigh Clark successfully keeping used furniture out of landfill
Since Leigh joined UBC Vancouver as a Facilities Planner with Infrastructure Development just two years ago, she has successfully identified and implemented a solution for keeping redundant furniture out of landfill and putting it to use elsewhere at the university.
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Siu Tse joins Energy & Water Services as Director of Engineering & Utilities
Siu joins us from the City of Port Coquitlam as their Deputy Director of Engineering & Operation and previously worked in City of Richmond, and Metro Vancouver.
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François Desmarais promoted to Senior Facilities Manager in Building Operations
François is the successful candidate to take on this newly created role with all of the Building Operations’ Facilities Managers reporting directly to him. François will continue to be responsible for the Brown Zone and also manage the day to…
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Announcing a new Associate Vice-President role for the VPFO
Following approval from UBC’s Board of Governors,the VPFO will be adding a new Associate Vice-President. Trish Pekeles has agreed to step forward as acting in the new AVP role until the search committee completes their work.
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Bryan Antenor and Marcos Kwong join Financial Operations management team
The Financial Operations team is pleased to welcome Bryan Antenor as the department’s new Customer Support Manager, and Marcos Kwong as the Manager of Procurement Services.