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
-
Regular testing and maintenance lead to quick action in an emergency
Fire alarms are the first line of defence against the effects of fire, providing early warning to occupants and enabling swift action to mitigate property damage. Thank you to all our teams and crews for the swift response and all…
-
Visit our VPFO booths at UBC’s Welcome Back BBQ
Campus Security and Emergency Management from Safety & Risk Services, and Procurement Programs from Finance & Integrated Services will all have a booth at the UBC Welcome Back Staff and Faculty BBQ on September 11. Stop by, come say hello…
-
Brock Commons South opens to welcome its first cohort of students
With construction now complete for Brock Commons South, UBC expands its Vancouver campus with the new residence. We extend our gratitude to all our teams who contributed in making this project a reality. The new facility serves not only as…
-
Hailey Maxwell steps into new role as Director, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning
Starting September 3, Hailey Maxwell will be stepping into her new role as Director, Emergency Management & Continuity Planning. In this new role, Hailey will also be joining the Safety & Risk Services leadership team.
-
Safety Awareness Week is September 9–13, 2024
September 9–13 is Safety Awareness Week. Let’s start the year off right by learning how to keep yourself and the UBC community safe and secure on campus.
People of the VPFO
-
Parveen Mann joins UBC as Director, Human Resources
We are pleased to welcome Parveen Mann to the VPFO as our new Director of Human Resources, reporting to Vice-President, Finance & Operations, Peter Smailes, effective June 21.
-
VPFO Finance Realignments Following Workday Go-Live
Many members of our VPFO team played key roles in launch of Workday at UBC, and following the success of go-live we are ready to continue modernizing our core business processes, improve how we are structured, and transform the way…
-
Leadership one-on-one with our Comptroller, Karamjeet Heer
As UBC’s Comptroller, Karamjeet is responsible for ensuring the university’s fiscal sustainability by providing financial intelligence and strategy. This week she has been featured in the UBC Today Leadership One-on-One interview series.
-
Yvonne Kwok promoted to Communications Manager, Facilities and Safety & Risk Services
Yvonne Kwok will be expanding her role as Communications Manager, Facilities & SRS, effective Friday, May 21, 2021.
-
Dawn Irmscher joins UBC as Director of Payroll
Dawn brings a wealth of experience in finance, operations, technical, and systems implementation to the university, and most recently served as the Director of Finance for the Sooke School District in Victoria, BC.