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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What do we mean when we say “budget”?
UBC’s annual budget process is underway and in the VPFO that means we’re working on the portfolio financial plan that will feed into the university-wide budget proposal, as well as overseeing the university-wide process. At the same time, we’re also…
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Lance Xu joins Campus Security as Secure Access Technician
Lance Xu joins Campus Security as a Secure Access Technician. Lance is a dedicated security access technician with a profound passion for the physical security industry. He joins us from Chubb Security and is currently attending BCIT and working towards…
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Digital Payments Program: Cost recovery and credit card fees
Starting November 1, 2023, a cost recovery fee will be implemented for TouchNet, UBC’s new digital payment solution. Learn more about the cost recovery fee and credit card fee.
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Jenny Black joins UBC Facilities as Red Zone Facilities Manager
Jenny joins UBC Facilities’ Customer Services & Informatics team from UBC Athletics & Recreation where she has been working for the past 9 years as a facility coordinator and facility manager. Buildings in her portfolio have included the War Memorial…
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Jeannie Lee joins Facilities’ Energy & Water Services as Utilities Manager
Jeannie brings in extensive, local knowledge in both private and public engineering sectors focuses on utilities planning, stormwater management, and climate change resilience. Prior to joining UBC, Jeannie was the Senior Engineer in the City of Vancouver, leading their Flood…
People of the VPFO
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Esther Li promoted to Senior Financial Processing Specialist in Treasury
Reporting to Chen Shi, Treasury Accounting Manager, Esther will continue to be responsible for the incoming payments while playing a critical role in more complicated bank reconciliations and other banking side responsibilities.
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Creating inclusive spaces beyond the public realm
Jen Sheel takes pride in what her team does… and it shows. When you meet Jen, one of the first things you see is her dedication to making UBC a place that invites and builds connections. She fiercely believes that…
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Josephine Shen joins the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) team as a Financial Analyst
In her new role, Josephine will play a key role in developing the Strategic Initiatives’ multi-year forecasting model and maintaining various financial models (i.e. Contingency and PAEI) at UBC.
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Celebrating UBC VPFO’s long-serving member inductees in 2022
The VPFO team has a number of long service member inductees this year. This is an amazing personal accomplishment for the individuals and a true testament to their devotion to service at UBC.
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Holly Shepherd promoted to Director, Treasury
Holly Shepherd has been promoted to Director, Treasury with overall responsibility for overseeing tax, contracts, leases & licences, housing loans, payment card industry compliance, service levy and Treasury Accounting.