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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Manage risk and overcome challenges with support from Enterprise Risk & Assurance
May is International Internal Audit Awareness Month! At UBC, the ERA team provides independent, risk-based and objective audit and advisory services. Whether you’re launching a new project, looking to improve a critical process, or implementing a change, ERA can help…
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Moody’s affirms UBC’s Aa1 rating and S&P lowers its rating to A+ due to provincial credit link
UBC maintains credit ratings with two different rating agencies, Moody’s Investors Service (commonly referred to as “Moody’s”) and S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”). Each year Moody’s and S&P meet separately with UBC to assess the factors influencing the university’s credit rating.
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New unreconciled credit card transactions dashboard
Monitor unreconciled credit card transactions across your faculty or administrative unit with our new Power BI dashboard, updated daily.
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Pierre-Olivier Whittom joins the Financial Planning and Analysis team as Senior Financial Analyst
Join us in welcoming Pierre-Olivier Whittom, who will be joining the Financial Planning & Analysis team within Comptroller as a Senior Financial Analyst starting May 20.
People of the VPFO
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Strengthening Municipal Services’ Asset and Fleet Management Services within Facilities
In order to enhance their technical expertise in civil engineering, asset stewardship and fleet management, UBC Facilities’ Municipal Services is pleased to welcome two new team members, Fiona Keating, Senior Manager, and Rishi Purohit, Fleet and Asset Manager.
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Making accountability personal
Thomas Straley — with 20 years of experience in Accounts Payable — is one of the lucky people who find their dream job early and build an endlessly rewarding career.
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Joanna Huang steps into Finance Manager role supporting the VPHR and VPFO Admin portfolios
Since stepping into the Acting role in June 2022, Joanna has played an instrumental in supporting her client areas through a busy quarter-end and the start of the FY23 budget process.
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Frank Laezza appointed Vice-President, Finance and Operations
Mr. Laezza will join us from Murdoch University, Australia, where he is Chief Financial Officer with responsibility for leading the university’s business and finance functions, as well as for the management of its financial and capital resources. Mr. Laezza will…
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Gardenia Honório transitions into new role as Business Operations Manager within Facilities’ Customer Services and Informatics
Gardenia will lead the Facilities Service Centre and Clerical teams and the Staff Records team, support training and other important Facilities initiatives including onboarding, safety training scheduling, IT device management, etc.