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: Mobi public bike share network expands into UBC
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…
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Read more: The Transition Team has a new name —Technical Review Team
The Transition Team has a new name —Technical Review Team
The Technical Review team’s mandate includes providing technical feedback and input during the design phases of major projects to ensure that the systems being built and handed over are maintainable for their lifespan and technical guidelines are adhered to (or…
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Read more: Staying safe during wildfire season
Staying safe during wildfire season
Wildfires are becoming more prevalent, devastating and enduring in British Columbia, and is a seasonal occupational hazard for many workers. People may feel mild exposure symptoms such as a sore throat, shortness of breath, and irritated eyes. Wildfire smoke may…
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Read more: Alicia Chan joins Capital Financial Reporting as Senior Financial Analyst in UBC Comptroller
Alicia Chan joins Capital Financial Reporting as Senior Financial Analyst in UBC Comptroller
Alicia brings diverse experience in financial reporting, long term capital planning and forecasting, interpreting complex financial data and effectively communicating to stakeholders. In her new role, Alicia will focus on the accurate reporting of our capital project funding and Deferred…
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Read more: Annual Facility Condition Assessments of UBC owned buildings
Annual Facility Condition Assessments of UBC owned buildings
The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education & Future Skills (formerly Ministry of Advanced Education & Skills Training), has engaged VFA (The Gordian Group Inc.) to perform their annual Facility Condition Assessments of UBC owned buildings. During this visit, VFA assessors will…
People of the VPFO
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Read more: Pera Hardy joins the Facilities Planning team in Infrastructure Development as Senior Facilities Planner
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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Read more: Frank Laezza — Get to Know UBC’s new Vice-President Finance & Operations
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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Read more: Oliver Choo joins as Finance Director, Vice President Research and Innovation
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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Read more: Dimitri Kavouras steps into new role as Subhead Controls Electrician in Building Operations
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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Read more: Building a more innovative campus — one project at a time
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…