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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Steven Lee is promoted to Learning Spaces team’s Senior Learning Space Planner within Facilities’ Infrastructure Development
Steven will be leading the Learning Spaces team within Facilities Planning and working closely with partners in AV IT and Scheduling Services to ensure the smooth operation and future planning for UBC General Teaching Space (GTS). Steven will be transitioning…
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Increase in mosquito activity may be attributable to this year’s weather pattern
UBC Facilities is aware that there is currently an increase in mosquito activity due to this summer’s weather pattern. Although, some may find mosquitos pesky because of their biting habit, Facilities does not manage the population of this insect.
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The latest Facility Condition Index is available
UBC Facilities has updated the diagrams that shows the condition of UBC Vancouver Point Grey owned buildings as assessed by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education & Future Skills (formerly Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training) in 2022. These diagrams…
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Okanagan wildfires
The past weeks have been difficult, as many of us watched the wildfire situation developing in the Okanagan and especially around our campus near Kelowna. I want to acknowledge our UBC Okanagan leadership and campus operations teams for pivoting and…
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Mobi public bike share network expands into UBC
UBC is enabling the expansion of the City of Vancouver’s Mobi by Shaw Go Bike Share program to the UBC Vancouver Point Grey campus through the installation of five fully-electrified bike share stations. Starting this week, construction will begin for…
People of the VPFO
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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…
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Rosanna Ma steps into new role as Facilities Safety Associate
Rosanna’s experience in the Research Compliance and Occupational Hygiene team in SRS and consulting industry will be extremely beneficial in her new role. She will be transitioning from the Donald Rix office to join the Facilities Safety team in the…