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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Coast Salish Two-Spirit Mosaic mural installed
Last week, the Coast Salish Two-Spirit Mosaic mural was installed west of the First Nations Long House (FNLH) building on the West Mall. This mural represents Coast Salish Two-Spirit unity, dignity, and respect.
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Accepting credit card payments over the phone
The acceptance of credit card payments over the phone is deemed to be a transmission of cardholder data. If a Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephone is used as a means of transmission, both the credit card process and UBC…
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What do we mean when we say “budget” at UBC?
UBC’s annual budget process is underway, and our faculties and administrative teams are working on the unit-level financial plans that will feed into the university-wide budget proposal that is presented to the Board of Governors for approval.
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UBC is a BC Hydro Clean Energy Champion
BC Hydro Clean Energy Champions are businesses, homes, and institutions—large and small—recognized for their reduction in their reliance on fossil fuels. BC Hydro praised UBC for its efficient buildings and projects to reduce the use of gas for heating on…
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2023 Financial Information Act Report released
The 2023 Financial Information Act Report is now available. This report publishes supplementary information required by the BC Financial Information Act.
People of the VPFO
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Pera Hardy joins the Facilities Planning team in Infrastructure Development as Senior Facilities Planner
Pera is a registered architect (AIBC) and LEED Green Associate, Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC). Her programming, planning, design and construction experience in K-12 schools and post-secondary projects will be very beneficial to facilities planning work on campus.
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Frank Laezza — Get to Know UBC’s new Vice-President Finance & Operations
It would be difficult for anyone to argue that Frank Laezza isn’t willing to go the distance for UBC. Fresh off a flight from Perth, Australia, he quite literally came from the opposite side of the planet to take up…
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Oliver Choo joins as Finance Director, Vice President Research and Innovation
In his new role, Oliver will be responsible for providing strategic financial leadership within the 16 units of the VPRI portfolio. In addition to managing the portfolio budget of $58M, Oliver will support key initiatives that have significant impact on…
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Dimitri Kavouras steps into new role as Subhead Controls Electrician in Building Operations
Passionate about contributing to the UBC community, Dimitri is a current shop steward, previous union delegate, and participant in two apprenticeship committees. He was awarded the Kim Nulty award in 2020 for his contributions and excellence in categories like employee…
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Building a more innovative campus — one project at a time
A powerful duo in the VPFO, Aletha Utimati, a PMP-certified Project Manager and Sandy Sull, a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) bring completely different expertise but share a vision for an innovative campus, a passion for collaboration, and the ability to…