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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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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UBC Finance Receives Sustainable Purchasing Award from International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories
UBC joined a number of leading research university in receiving the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Award after demonstrating an improvement in sustainable procurement practices.
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UBC celebrates the official opening of the Undergraduate Life Sciences Teaching Laboratories
Students from British Columbia and around the world can now study for careers in the life sciences, such as genetics, health care, conservation and ecology, in the renovated and expanded Undergraduate Life Sciences Teaching Laboratories at UBC.
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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.
People of the VPFO
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Nikki Reiter and Betty Han join the VPFO Project Management Office as Continuous Improvement Program Manager
Nikki joins the VPFO Project Management Office from the Integrated Renewal Program (IRP) – Student, where she served as Acting Associate Director, Transformation & Change Management leading a team of change management specialists to support UBC’s transition to Workday Student.…
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Alan Ehrenholz joins Facilities’ Municipal Services as Municipal Engineer
Alan will help enhance our technical expertise in civil engineering and asset stewardship. Alan’s passion and contribution towards community-oriented initiatives will help strengthen our equity, diversity and inclusion work while balancing the operational and maintenance needs for a resilient campus…
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Steven Lee is promoted to Learning Spaces team’s Senior Learning Space Planner within Facilities’ Infrastructure Development
Steven will be leading the Learning Spaces team within Facilities Planning and working closely with partners in AV IT and Scheduling Services to ensure the smooth operation and future planning for UBC General Teaching Space (GTS). Steven will be transitioning…
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Alicia Chan joins Capital Financial Reporting as Senior Financial Analyst in UBC Comptroller
Alicia brings diverse experience in financial reporting, long term capital planning and forecasting, interpreting complex financial data and effectively communicating to stakeholders. In her new role, Alicia will focus on the accurate reporting of our capital project funding and Deferred…
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Cathy Myles joins Safety & Risk Services’ Insurance & Loss Prevention team
Cathy is joining Safety & Risk Services on a full-time, contract basis to help lead the team through a current & future state analysis and transfer of risk including insurance risk management operations and programs.