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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Read more: Protect yourself from the flu: Get your flu shots this fall

Protect yourself from the flu: Get your flu shots this fall
Starting October, 2024, Influenza vaccines will be available across British Columbia. The flu vaccines will be booked through the provincial government’s Get Vaccinated system. If you have already registered with the provincial Get Vaccinated system, you will not need to…
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Read more: Celebrating our staff who joined the 25 Year Club!

Celebrating our staff who joined the 25 Year Club!
The 25 Year Club honours non-faculty staff members who have 25 or more years of uninterrupted or accumulated service at UBC. This year the inductees for 2024 highlighted many staff members from across our portfolio.
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Read more: Don’t feed the clog monster

Don’t feed the clog monster
Every time you flush paper towel, the dreaded clog monster grows, creating an increasingly large clog down in the building’s pipe system. This menacing fiend lurks in our pipes, causing clogs and backups in your spaces. The clog monster leads…
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Read more: Metro Vancouver water crews conducting planned maintenance
Metro Vancouver water crews conducting planned maintenance
As part of planned maintenance, Metro Vancouver water crews are working within the City of Vancouver, which may cause turbid water. There is a small possibility of increased water cloudiness in parts of Vancouver (including UBC) during this work. The…
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Read more: $7-million donation from Dan On Foundation seeds the future of food innovation at UBC

$7-million donation from Dan On Foundation seeds the future of food innovation at UBC
A $7-million donation from the Dan On Foundation will fund the building of UBC’s Food and Beverage Innovation Centre, set to formally open in early 2025. The centre will help the agri-food industry in B.C. and beyond by providing access…
People of the VPFO
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Read more: Bert Tempel joins Infrastructure Development as Project Coordinator
Bert Tempel joins Infrastructure Development as Project Coordinator
Bert joined UBC in 2001 with a sheet metal trades certification. He has spent 20 years in Building Operations’ Sheet Metal Shop where he developed extensive experience and knowledge in the construction of mechanical systems, building maintenance, HVAC systems renewal,…
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Read more: Carolyn Rhee-Thompson joins UBC as Finance Director, VPFO/VPHR
Carolyn Rhee-Thompson joins UBC as Finance Director, VPFO/VPHR
Carolyn is a CPA with over 10 years of financial leadership experience supporting a broad group of internal clients. As Finance Director, VPFO/VPHR, Carolyn will bring financial leadership and strategic expertise to the portfolio.
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Read more: Joey-Lee Robelo, Operations Project Manager – Change Management for Customer Services & Informatics
Joey-Lee Robelo, Operations Project Manager – Change Management for Customer Services & Informatics
Over the next 18 months, Joey-Lee will work with both Facilities and the EMMS project team to support the Facilities team with change management, learning and professional development. Notable upcoming initiatives include Planon rollout for Energy & Water Services and…
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Read more: Dean Gregory will be joining Building Operations as the Municipal Landscape Architect
Dean Gregory will be joining Building Operations as the Municipal Landscape Architect
Dean’s journey with the university began 13 years ago as the Campus Landscape Architect in Campus & Community Planning (C&CP). Dean has been instrumental in transforming both the UBC Point Grey and Okanagan campuses through the planning and implementing of…
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Read more: Scott Stevens promoted as High Voltage Electrical Sub-Head in Energy & Water Services
Scott Stevens promoted as High Voltage Electrical Sub-Head in Energy & Water Services
Scott Stevens will be joining the Supervisory Organization of Electrical Trades with Energy & Water Services at the Campus Energy Center location. His role as Sub-Head starts on August 3, 2021.