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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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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Are you Ranger Ready? Visit the UBC Emergency Ranger Station on Feb 13 and find out!
Emergencies happen, and as UBC students, faculty, staff, and residents, we all have a role to play in emergency preparedness. Visit the UBC Emergency Ranger Station in the AMS Nest on February 13 to find out how you can prepare…
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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.
People of the VPFO
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Welcoming Karen Zygun as the new VPFO Director of Human Resources
Karen Zygun will be joining UBC as the new Director of Human Resources for the VPFO. Karen will be a key leader in renewing the VPFO’s HR team and strategy, developing a strategy to build a stronger values-centered culture, and…
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Angela Huang joins the Office of the Comptroller as Senior Director of Financial Business Intelligence
We are pleased to announce that Angela Huang has joined the Office of the Comptroller as our new Senior Director of Financial Business Intelligence, effective March 3, 2025.
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Welcoming Maggie Ivanova as UBC’s New Chief Enterprise Risk & Assurance Officer
Maggie Ivanova will begin her role as UBC’s new Chief Enterprise Risk and Assurance Officer on April 7. She will provide strategic leadership to the university’s Internal Assurance and Enterprise Risk Management functions and will report jointly to the Vice-President,…
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Sarah Goold appointed as Director, Long-Term Financial Modelling & Planning
Sarah Goold has been appointed Director, Long-Term Financial Modelling & Planning and will oversee the Long-Term Financial Modelling & Planning team going forward.
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Lindsay Wyant transitions to the Financial Reporting team as the Interim Director, Financial Reporting
We are pleased to announce that Lindsay Wyant, Finance Manager, Capital Financial Reporting, will be transitioning to the Financial Reporting Team as the Interim Director, Financial Reporting.