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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And the winners of our premium emergency ranger kits are…
Find out who the lucky contest winners are from the UBC Emergency Ranger Station event on February 13
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Help UBC create design guidelines for more inclusive washrooms & changing rooms
Last month, Infrastructure Development and Equity & Inclusive office hosted three pop-up open house events to engage with UBC students, faculty, and staff to get a better understanding of the range of experiences and concerns regarding washrooms and changing at…
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Jeetender Amritsar joins Building Operations as Facilities Manager
Jeetender is the successful candidate to take over the Teal zone after Rob Macdonald retires at the end of March 2020. He will start his new role on March 2, 2020.
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VPFO Pink Shirt Day 2019/20 Staff Video
To capture the spirit of inclusion, in 2019 we worked with our partners at UBC Studios to create a video that captures some of the excitement. The video was played for all staff at the 2020 event.
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Students, faculty and staff get Ranger Ready in The Nest
On February 13, 2020 the AMS Student Nest was transformed into the UBC Emergency Ranger Station, where the Emergency Management team helped the UBC community get Ranger Ready, and prepare for emergency situations.
People of the VPFO
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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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.