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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The Museum of Anthropology reopens to the public
The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) upgrades are complete and the museum reopened to the public last week. The reopening weekend coincided with the museum’s 75th anniversary and events and performances were held to celebrate. Many VPFO staff attended the reopening,…
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Sharing power between your car and campus: UBC’s Smart Hydrogen Energy District (SHED)
In partnership with industry and government, UBC MéridaLabs created the SHED, a living laboratory that emulates links between energy, transportation, and urban design. UBC Facilities’ managed the project’s construction, bringing this complex, innovative project into reality.
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UBC Facilities recognized as a leader in cleaning with international certification
UBC Facilities achieved the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Green Building (GB) advanced by GBAC with Honours certification. This certification from ISSA, the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry, places UBC in the elite top tier of all…
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Safety & Risk Service’s Compliance Support Program wins nationally at the 2024 CAUBO Conference
The Information Security Compliance Support Program, an initiative within UBC’s PrISM Program, won a Q&P Award for the project’s excellence in fostering cybersecurity compliance and safety. The PrISM Program is a partnership between Safety & Risk Services, the Office of…
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Preparing for FY25 Q1 Forecast: What you need to know
In preparation for the FY25 Q1 forecast in Adaptive Planning, please review the following Q1 2025 Guidelines and References. Zoom forecast update sessions will also be available for the Finance community. More information is available on the Finance website.
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.